The new Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac will open to the general public on Oct. 3.

The new Y at South 188th Street and 37th Avenue Southwest is the last of three new branches being built as part of the current capital campaign and represents a major investment in meeting the diverse needs of south King County's growing communities.

In only the third time in its 133-year history, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has named a new branch for a community leader.

Griffin, principal and managing partner of Pine Street Group L.L.C., has been involved with the YMCA of Greater Seattle for almost 30 years, serving in numerous leadership roles including co-chairman of the current capital campaign.

As chair of the board of directors from 1997-2000, Griffin was volunteer leader of the Step Up For Kids Capital Campaign that redeveloped the historic Downtown Seattle YMCA and added youth development centers in YMCA branches throughout King County.

Besides being a generous donor to the YMCA of Greater Seattle with his wife Evelyne Rozner, Griffin has been the major fundraiser for the YMCA for the past 25 years.

Under Griffin's leadership, the current It's All About Community! Capital Campaign has surpassed 96 percent of the $40 million goal and is on track to be completed at the end of December.

The historic campaign is funding the construction of three new branches in Shoreline, Newcastle and SeaTac; renovation of the Meredith Mathews East Madison branch; increased capacity and facility improvements at the YMCA's Camp Orkila and Camp Colman; and $3.75 million in additional endowment funds to enable more low-income youth to attend the two overnight camps.

According to Norm Rice, Seattle Foundation president and former YMCA of Greater Seattle board chairman, "Matt is a community leader like no other, extraordinarily generous with his time, talent, and philanthropic giving. He demonstrates the kind of exemplary philanthropy that motivates and encourages others to follow suit."