Why a New Y?

Spearheaded by Valparaiso Service Clubs, a group of dedicated community leaders worked with the town of Valparaiso to build a community center for youth recreation. The original YMCA facility opened in 1951 and included swimming, gym activities, and youth social rooms.

We have come a long way as an organization. Over the past four years, our membership has grown to over 6,000 members-creating the need for several renovations to our facility. Currently, we serve approximately 20 percent of the Valparaiso population-a percentage five-times the national YMCA average.

Our current YMCA facility has served us well, but we have reached the limits of available space and constraints posed by the physical age of the building. Programming necessities and current membership numbers require expanded and improved facilities. With our current facilities filled to the brim, we can no longer rely on short-term solutions as they are not adequate or cost-efficient.

In 2005, the Valparaiso Family YMCA Board of Directors, Y staff and volunteers conducted an extensive process to evaluate options for the Valparaiso Family YMCA. This comprehensive planning and research process conclusively revealed the Valparaiso Family YMCA has few options if it wants to continue to grow and provide quality services - it must build a facility at a new location.

In order to meet the growing needs of our members and the community, we too must grow.