Historic Shepherd YMCA Firehouse reopens in La Jolla
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A historic building that once served as San Diego's first city hall and housed critical public services is set to reopen this week after years of renovations.
The Shepherd YMCA Firehouse, located at 7877 Herschel Ave. in La Jolla, was built in 1937 as Fire Station 13. At the time, it served as more than just a fire station.
- Get a peek inside the facility with FOX 5/KUSI's Allie Wagner in the video player above.
It was also the first city hall, a police station, a jail, a hospital room and the city's water department until 1976, when the fire station was moved to its current location at 809 Nautilus St.
The original site was designated a City of San Diego Historical Landmark in 1982. However, the building sat unused until the La Jolla YMCA signed a 25-year lease from the city in 1987.
It underwent several transformations over the years and evolved to serve as a teen and senior community center as well as a performing arts and gymnastics center.
After the completion of a $1.2 million renovation in 2015, the firehouse reopened as a health and fitness center for members, offering group exercise classes, a child watch center and more activities for all ages.
However, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to shut down in 2020, the building never officially reopened, said Dan Cruz, Shepherd YMCA Firehouse's communications director.
"This Shepherd YMCA Firehouse is just a unique aspect, every YMCA kind of adapts to the needs of the community, and that's what I thought was really cool reopening this facility," Cruz said.
- Watch the interview with Dan Cruz, communications director for Shepherd YMCA Firehouse, in the video player above.
He said the revitalization of the building and the addition of new programs were done in response to feedback gathered from a community survey.
The Shepherd YMCA Firehouse reopens Saturday, Sept. 6, with a grand opening celebration from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For a limited time, new members can check out the new equipment, unlimited fitness classes, heated pools and more at no cost to sign up.
