The Talbot family is donating approximately six acres of land in Barkley Village to support plans for a future community YMCA serving Bellingham and Whatcom County.
For the Talbot family, Barkley Village is more than a development project. It is a long-term commitment to growth in Bellingham through community building and sustainable design, with people at the center of every decision.
That long-term vision took a meaningful step forward in July 2026.
The Talbot family is donating an approximately 6-acre plot of land to the Whatcom Family YMCA as part of a new partnership. The Whatcom Family YMCA will begin exploring, designing, and fundraising for a future community YMCA facility in Barkley Village.
The Talbots envision this new YMCA as a welcoming space for children, families, adults, and seniors across Whatcom County.
“This announcement carries special meaning because it reflects the vision our father Jim used to talk about when we were kids,” said Barkley Village co-owner Jane Talbot. “Even back then, he imagined Barkley Village as a walkable, sustainable, community-centered neighborhood designed around connection and quality of life.”
“Since our dad started building here in 1991, each phase has helped Barkley Village become a more complete neighborhood,” said Stowe Talbot, Barkley Village co-owner. “Jane and I have been focused on bringing more housing and everyday activity into the village, including 142 apartments now underway at The Manning. Expanding community assets is the next step for us.”
Building on that direction, the Talbot development team began exploring opportunities for a future community-focused facility in Barkley Village. Since the Whatcom Family YMCA provides a wide range of programs that support community health and wellness, including the operation of an Early Learning Center in Barkley Village, the conversations about a larger partnership felt like a natural next step.
“We are profoundly grateful for this extraordinary gift and the vision it represents. This land donation is more than a place to build—it is an investment in the future of our community,” said Courtney Whitaker, CEO of the Whatcom Family YMCA. “As our population grows and shifts, the YMCA is committed to growing with it, ensuring that every family has access to welcoming spaces, life-changing programs, and opportunities to connect.”
A Long-Term Vision for Barkley Village
“The YMCA represents the very best of community,” said Jane. “Their mission aligns beautifully with what our family has always hoped Barkley Village could become - a place centered on wellness, belonging, inclusiveness, and human connection. We simply could not imagine a better partner to help bring this vision to life.”
The Talbot family has been part of Bellingham’s story for more than 80 years, with roots in shipbuilding, cold storage warehousing, and commercial fishing — industries that helped shape the region. That history continues today through Barkley Village and the family’s ongoing commitment to investing in places that serve this community over time.
A Future Community YMCA in Barkley Village
The proposed site is located at the southeast corner of Sunset Dr. where Woburn St., Sunset Dr., and Hannegan Rd. intersect— one of Barkley Village’s most visible and accessible intersections. “We are grateful to be in a position to offer the YMCA a highly visible and accessible site that could support its mission for generations to come,” said Stowe. The proposed new YMCA facility is envisioned as a regional hub for recreation, wellness, aquatics, youth programs, education, and intergenerational connection.
Looking Ahead
Leaders from both organizations emphasized that this effort reflects a shared belief that healthy communities are created intentionally.
“Building a new YMCA requires an enormous amount of work and shared commitment from the entire community. We encourage others to learn more about this project and ways in which they can help make it a reality,” said Courtney.
Additional details regarding planning, community engagement, and future fundraising efforts will be shared as the project moves forward.
“This is about creating a lasting community asset for Bellingham and Whatcom County,” said Stowe. “We are incredibly grateful and excited to begin this journey with the YMCA and with the broader community we love.”
Learn more about the Whatcom Family YMCA: WhatcomYMCA.org
