SOUTH BEND — THE Greater Michiana YMCA plans to open a new campus in downtown South Bend in a fitness center currently operated by the hospital system.
While maintaining operations at O’Brien Center On the city’s south side, the YMCA plans to move to the third and fourth floors of the Memorial Layton Healthplex at 111 W. Jefferson Blvd., across Main Street from the St. Joseph County Courthouse. The YMCA will take over the fitness center operated by. beacon health systema local hospital system that allows members to transfer to the YMCA without a fee.
YMCA members could begin using the facility in June, immediately after Beacon moves in by May 31st. This contract is South Bend Redevelopment Commission Approved at Thursday’s meeting.
The city of South Bend took ownership of the Jefferson Boulevard property in late March as part of a multimillion-dollar development deal involving Beacon. The hospital system plans to retain his first floor of the building on the south side of the site for physical rehabilitation programs and office space until a future move.
The YMCA plans to sign an eight-year free lease with the city for use of the fitness center. Instead, the YMCA he donated an old building at 1201 Northside Blvd. To the city. Caleb Bauer, executive director of the South Bend Regional Investment Authority, told the Tribune that the city plans to demolish the site and eventually move forward with redevelopment.
The old building, built in 1964, features a swimming pool, locker rooms with showers, a fully equipped gym, racquetball court, fitness room, and space for other childcare and educational programs. It has been vacant since it closed in May 2020, several months after the South Bend Y merged with the YMCA of Southwest Michigan and moved local operations to the O’Brien Center.
Plans for the new space downtown include a basketball court, racquetball court, indoor track, lap pool and aquatic sports and fitness classes, in addition to weight training and cardio equipment. Beacon donates much of his equipment to his YMCA.
“Our new location in downtown South Bend continues the Y’s 140-year tradition in the region,” YMCA board member and St. Joseph County Justice of the Peace Andre Gamage said in a press release. Stated.
The YMCA has signed a new three-year agreement with South Bend Venues Parks and Arts and will remain in the O’Brien Center, a fitness center located at 321 E. Walter Street.
“We’re really grateful to the YMCA for helping us save our downtown fitness facility,” Bauer said. “We’re excited to work with the YMCA and really continue our partnership with the YMCA in the O’Brien Center, but also expand that partnership in the downtown area.”
Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at [email protected]. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09
