We represent the squash and racquetball players at the Whatcom Family YMCA.
The YMCA is planning a new community center at Barkley Village, and we are excited about it. We want it built. We are asking for two things alongside it, because the downtown Y has the only squash court in Whatcom County and is one of only three places to play racquetball.
Commit that court access will not lapse. The downtown squash and racquetball courts stay open and operating until an equivalent or better replacement is open at Barkley.
No funding is involved. We are asking that recreation continues without a gap while the new facility is built.
Include at least one convertible squash and racquetball court in the Barkley Village program plan, and name the community as a participant in the design of the Barkley location.
A convertible court lets one room serve both sports, rather than the two competing for space. It is easier to include while the building is still being planned than to add later.
Passionate supporters of the Y and its recreation mission.
We play squash and racquetball at the downtown YMCA. Some of us have played for decades, some started last year, and a few of us are still learning.
What we would like to work on with the Y
We care about keeping access to indoor racquet sports at the YMCA, and we want to help grow participation.
- Volunteer-run leagues and clinics, so the courts serve more people than they already do.
- A free learn to play program for kids this fall, regardless of what happens at Barkley.
- Whatever design homework for the Barkley location is useful, including vendor research on convertible courts.
- The Talbot family is donating roughly six acres at Sunset, Hannegan and Woburn for a future YMCA community center. Cascadia Daily News, July 14, 2026
- The Y is committed to maintaining a wellness center in downtown Bellingham. Downtown plans are not finalized. YMCA announcement, July 14, 2026
- On the Y's own website, the wellness center is one room inside the downtown building: cardio equipment and free weights. whatcomymca.org
Join the Whatcom Racquet Alliance.
Help us grow the community and keep access to the courts. If you play here, used to, or would if there were somewhere to learn, sign up to support our ask and get updates.