The Lakeland Family YMCA — which will be renamed the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA — broke ground on its new two-story fieldhouse in May 2024. | Photo by LALtoday
If you’ve driven down Cleveland Heights Boulevard recently, you might have noticed some changes at the site of the Lakeland Family YMCA — namely, a significant amount of construction.
The YMCA announced that it would undergo a $21 million, multi-year renovation project in 2023, with all four phases expected to conclude by 2027. Now that the renovation is roughly halfway through its expected timeline, let’s take a look at where things stand.
The first phase of the project, which focused on improving parking with the creation of a new 150-space lot, concluded in mid-2024. No more fighting for spots here.
Soon, you’ll be running circles around us (literally) on the Fieldhouse’s indoor track.
Photo via Lakeland Family YMCA
Phase two began in May 2024 with the groundbreaking of the George Jenkins Field House, a two-story, 40,000-sqft building that will house an indoor turf field, two basketball courts, an expanded weight room, and an elevated indoor track. YMCA officials shared in a newsletter that construction was expected to take ~18 months.
The third phase — infrastructure improvements to the childcare building — began in late 2024 and is expected to conclude ahead of the YMCA’s 2025 summer camps. Get a sneak peek of what to expect.
The final phase, geared toward improving infrastructure in the campus’s main building, has not begun quite yet. These improvements will primarily consist of plumbing, HVAC, flooring, lighting, and roofing work to ensure the building’s strength for years to come.
The YMCA is still holding a capital campaign to raise funding for the construction and renovation, with the goal of raising $25 million — donate here.
Events
Events
Friday, May 16
JJ’s Fusion Khaana Pop-Up | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland | Price of purchase | Flavor is in your future at this pop-up event featuring bites and bevs “with an Indian twist.”
“The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” | Friday, May 16-Sunday, May 25 | Times vary | Theatre Winter Haven, Winter Haven | $15 | See the story of the magical land of Narnia come to life on stage in this play.
Art with Character | 6 p.m. | Enchanted Fairytale Hollow | $35 | Kids can create a themed art project to celebrate their mother figures, then enjoy a meet and greet with The Brave Princess.
Tommy Stinson Live | 9 p.m. | Hillcrest Coffee | $30+ | Tickets are limited for this performance by Stinson, guitarist and vocalist of bands like The Replacements + Guns N’ Roses.
Saturday, May 17
Tire Collection Event | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hunt Fountain Park | Free | Join Keep Polk County Beautiful for this event — residents can bring up to 24 tires per vehicle to be recycled.
Ask a Master Gardener | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Free | Find the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County booth to ask a gardening pro your burning questions.
Canine Adoption Event | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lakeland Hyundai | Free+ | You might just meet the paw-fect addition to your family at this open adoption event with SPCA Florida.
90-Minute Tri | 7-9:30 a.m. | Lakeside Village | Free | Come ready to move with 30 minutes of Pure Barre, a 30-minute run with Fleet Feet, and 30 minutes with Yoga Pointe.
Gardening Cookie Decorating | 11:30 a.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $65 | You won’t need a green thumb for this class where you’ll decorate six garden-inspired cookies while sipping on a complimentary bev.
Bye bye, burn ban. Polk County’s burn ban officially ended on Wednesday, May 14 after recent rainstorms lowered the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index from 507 to 201. If you plan to burn outside, it’s still recommended you follow precautionary measures to mitigate fire risk. (The Ledger)
Tech
The City of Lakeland’s got the power, partnering with industrial company AECOM to harvest algae from Lake Bonnet and transform it into sustainable energy. The project is the first of its kind in Lakeland, and it could expand to more Florida lakes in the future if successful. (Fox 13 News)
Open
Lake Conine Nature Park — a City of Winter Haven project that began back in 2010 — is now open for exploring. The ~32-acre wetlands park features several trail loops, shaded seating areas, a playground, and a kayak launch. (The Ledger)
Outdoors
Beginning Monday, June 16, the Singing Tower moat at Bok Tower Gardens will be drained for cleaning, repairs + planting of new aquatic flora. As for the moat’s signature koi fish? They’ll be temporarily rehomed during the state-funded preservation project, which is expected to take up to three weeks. (The Ledger)
Biz
Good news, Uncle Nick’s fans — the Lakeland staple is extending its hours starting Monday, May 19. While the kitchen will initially still close by 3 p.m., customers can stop in to snag items from the market, as well as specialty coffees, desserts, and grab-and-go items, until 6 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Active
Run, Lakeland, run. Registration for Lakeland Runners Club’s 30th Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series is now open. Sign up for one or all of the 5Ks spanning June-August by Saturday, May 31 before prices increase. Looking for new pals to train with? These run clubs might just be the answer.
Try This
Get your fresh flower fix at Fancy Farms, Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. + Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Pick your own zinnias and sunflowers for $5 and $8 per cup, respectively, or mix-and-match for $10. Admission is $3 per person.
Award
We’ve got a license to chill. Camp Margaritaville Auburndale has been voted as the Best Luxury RV Resort in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the second year the resort has secured the top spot. What can we say? Polk County just knows how to do RV vacationing.
Open
Establish 37 Salon is expanding. The beauty spot’s new blow dry bar is now in soft launch mode, offering blowout and styling services. Make an appointment at the new space, located at 4204 S. Florida Ave., Ste. B.
Biz
It ain’t easy being cheesy, but Sabrina’s Delicacies makes it look like it. The charcuterie cafe will celebrate its first anniversary tomorrow, May 17. Tune into the shop’s Instagram to learn more about what specials are in store for the big day. We’re crossing our fingers for never-ending cannoli dip.
Feel Good
If you’re looking for a lesson in determination, meet George, a cat known for hanging around Scott Lake’s Loma Verde complex. After escaping from the SPCA post-neuter surgery, George traversed the 2.7-mile journey back to Loma Verde solo, crossing roads, evading dogs, and even circling Lake Victoria. (WFLA)
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Wellness
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Category
Lakelander
🤝 Pleasure to meet you, Madame President
In addition to serving as a member and now president of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, Angel Davis also previously served on the organization’s Community Advisory Board representing the City of Lakeland. | Photo via @tarajaleigh
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland (JLGL) has elected a new leader for the 2025-2026 year. Meet Angel Davis, who will not only oversee and steer JLGL’s affairs this next year, but is also the org’s first Black president in its more than 90-year history.
What exactly is the JLGL? Look no further, we’ve got the answer.
Founded in 1933, JLGL exists to bring women together from all walks of life to engage in meaningful educational and charity work, impacting 10,000+ Lakeland-area families annually.
Some of the org’s most notable projects focus on clothing security and literacy — and we can’t forget its involvement with the iconic Lakeland Christmas Parade.
Interested in joining the JLGL’s ranks? Applications for new members are open until June 21, with training occurring in the fall. Learn more.
Asked
Asked
Which of these notable Lakelanders was not a member of the Junior League?
A. Stephanie Madden B. Lois Quinn Searl C. Sara Roberts McCarley D. Carol Jenkins Barnett
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I recently learned that Amelia was the No. 6 female baby name in Florida last year, according to data from the Social Security Administration. I guess I always knew Floridians had great taste.
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