“Absher has completed the new Mel Korum Family YMCA project on Puyallup’s South Hill.This state-of-the-art facility is the largest stand-alone YMCAs, and one of the 20 largest, in the country. The 100,000 square-foot, two-level Y was designed by Architects BCRA-Tsang of Tacoma, lead by team leader Randy Robbins, and includes two large recreational/lap pools; a kids’ pool and jacuzzi; sauna, steamrooms; adult and family locker rooms; free-weight training facilities, an aerobics room; a weight machine room; four racquetball/squash courts; an indoor 1/6th-mile walking/jogging track; toddlers’ play room; a game room; separate adult and kids gymnasiums; a gymnastics gym; a chapel; community room and more.The complete project cost $17 million, including $10 million in construction costs. Site clearing began in January 1999, with the first concrete poured in mid-March 1999; the facility opened to the public on February 12, 2000.Absher was selected to build the new Y on a negotiated contract with the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County. Roy Hoke was Absher’s Superintendent on the project; Curt Gimmestad was the Project Manager, and Kacey Beyers was the the Project Coordinator.The project would not have been possible without the support of long-time community member and business leader Mel Korum and his family, who donated generously to support the project.The facility expects to reach a capacity of approximately 4,000 members soon.”