The University YMCA Student Center opened in 2015 as a partnership between the University of Washington Tacoma and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties. The 73,000-square-foot facility included recreational and fitness spaces including an NCAA regulation gymnasium, cardio and weight training equipment, indoor track, and locker rooms. The YMCA took on the operation of the recreational facilities of the UW Tacoma-owned space, while the campus' Division of Student Affairs operated the building's student-centered spacing, including the Center for Student Involvement, a game room, an event space prioritized for Registered Student Organizations, three study/meeting rooms, and open lounges. Student access to the building includes a YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties membership granting them access to YMCA locations across Pierce and Kitsap counties. The new building replaced Longshoremen's Hall, a former labor union building that had been serving as UW Tacoma's student recreational facility.

Support for this project began with the development of the Campus Life Facilities Master Plan in the 2008-2009 academic term. The study stated the following:

'The UWT student body demonstrated significant need for social and lounge spaces, elements that are extremely lacking on the existing campus. Demand for dedicated student social and study spaces, as well as food service, represents the greatest need for the Tacoma campus.'

The Services and Activities Fee Committee (SAFC) began to take steps to secure funding for a new student center project. Previous funding recommendations included:

  • 2010 – Committing up to $2 million of Long-Term Development funds to what was then known as "the Student Union project."
     
  • 2011 – A 7% increase to the quarterly Service and Activity Fee with the goal of furthering contributions to the Student Union. SAFC also recommended that up to $10,000 of Long-Term Development funds be released for the purpose of supporting the Student Union working group.
     
  • 2012 – The reallocation of $424,016 of remaining funds for Longshoremen’s Hall to the project.

In January of 2013, UW Tacoma and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties formally announced the collaboration to build the first full-service YMCA to be located on a university campus. This partnership was built on the common commitment of both institutions to serve the larger community.

The Student Center Planning Committee conducted a survey between April 8-19, 2013. This survey was open to all students, and was distributed to 3,960 current students through the SI411 listserv. Students were asked if they supported the development of a new student center, and if they supported a new fee of $180 per quarter to fund the project. The survey found over 97% of student respondents supported the new facility, and over 80% of student respondents supported the $180 new fee. Further support for the project also come from the Student Technology Fee Committee (STFC). Over a period of years in the mid-2010s, the STFC intentionally saved funds to support technology for the University YMCA student facility.

In June 2013, the Services and Activities Fee Committee instituted a new student fee of $180 per quarter to support the construction and operation of the University YMCA Student Center. The proposed student center fee went into effect for the Winter 2015 Quarter, when the facility opened.

The project cost $20 million and included $4 million in supporting funds from UW Tacoma and $4 million from SAFC Long Term Development Funds.