ATX-NNW: Impact 5/21/2026

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$15 million investment pushes Four Points YMCA construction forward

Greater YMCA officials announced May 13 that the upcoming Four Points YMCA facility is expected to be complete by late 2028. The facility will be named the Schmetterling YMCA following a $15 million gift from The Schmetterling Foundation that will push construction forward.

The details: According to officials, the new facility is slated to feature:

9 acres of outdoor space with fitness areas
Basketball and pickleball sports courts
An aquatics complex with outdoor year-round swimming
A full indoor fitness and wellness center
Group fitness studios
Drop-in child care and a youth maker space for science, technology, art and cooking
A coworking lounge
Community gathering spaces

A closer look: The Schmetterling Foundation's $15 million investment will fund construction costs for the facility. The foundation initially invested $3 million toward the facility's YMCA Tomorrow Academy in 2025.

Looking ahead: The YMCA will continue to raise money for the new facility through a community campaign which will strengthen the organization's ability to open with the programs, resources and financial assistance needed to serve its families.

Read the full story.

Latest News

As Austin officials debate 2026 bond election, city staff suggest 2-year delay

City Council is continuing to weigh whether to put a bond measure to Austin voters this fall, while city staff have recommended pushing the potential election to 2028.

The details: After over a year of bond development work, both city staff and a resident-led task force have recommended several potential bond packages to elected officials this year. While council launched the bond planning process and many elected officials believe the city has pressing project needs, it still remains to be seen if they'll opt to put a bond on the ballot this year.

City financial guidelines—including a "decision tree" for bonds recently adopted by council—led staff this month to suggest holding off for two years and instead plan for a 2028 election. That recommendation came with hundreds of millions of dollars from past bonds still unspent.

Going forward: Council will continue to debate the size and merits of a potential 2026 bond ahead of a mid-August deadline to call an election for the fall.

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

7th Annual Austin Greek Festival

Summer Classic Film Series opening weekend

May 22-24, times vary
Austin

More info

Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo 2026

7th Annual Antique Barn Sale & Artisan Show

May 22-24, 7:30 p.m. (daily rodeo performance)
Dripping Springs

May 23, 7:30 a.m.
Cedar Park

More info

To submit your own event, click here.

in your backyard

New 10-acre Ridgeline Park open to the public in Austin, Cedar Park

Work is complete on Ridgeline Neighborhood Park, a new park located right on the Austin-Cedar Park line near Lakeline Mall, a spokesperson for Austin Parks and Recreation said.

The overview: The park is now open to the public, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 3 by Austin Parks and Recreation. The park covers an area of just over 10 acres and preserves natural features including forested areas, a wetland ecosystem and two small streams, according to a news release. The development of the park added amenities, including a looped trail, picnic areas, a water fountain, and native grass and wildflowers.

The backstory: The land that became Ridgeline Neighborhood Park was acquired by the city of Austin in 1987 through parkland dedication associated with the development of Lakeline Mall, the release states. The park's improvement concept was approved in summer 2022. The project was funded by the city of Austin's Parkland Dedication fees collected from nearby development in Austin.

Read here.

Your local team

Grace Dickens
Editor

Taylor Stover
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Good Morning, Northwest Austin!

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