SOUTH BEND — The YMCA of Greater Michiana plans to open a new campus in downtown South Bend in a fitness center currently operated by the hospital system.
While maintaining its operations at the O’Brien Center on the city’s south side, the YMCA plans to move to the third and fourth floors of Memorial Leighton Healthplex, at 111 W. Jefferson Blvd., just across Main Street from St. John’s. District Court. The YMCA will take over the fitness center operated by Beacon Health System, a local hospital system that allows its members to transfer to the YMCA at no charge.
YMCA members can begin using the facility in June, shortly after Bacon is out by May 31. The deal is scheduled to go before the South Bend Redevelopment Commission for approval at its meeting Thursday.
The city of South Bend took ownership of the Jefferson Boulevard site in late March as part of a multimillion-dollar development deal that includes Beacon. The hospital system will retain the first floor of the building on the south side of the lot for physical rehabilitation programs and office space until it relocates in the future.
The YMCA will sign a free eight-year lease with the city to use the fitness center. In return, the YMCA will donate its old building at 1201 Northside Blvd. to the city. Caleb Bauer, executive director of South Bend’s Community Investment Management, told the Tribune that the city plans to demolish that site and eventually pursue redevelopment.
The old building was built in 1964 and includes a swimming pool, locker rooms with showers, a full gym, racquetball courts, fitness rooms and other spaces for child care and educational programs. It has remained vacant since it closed in May 2020, months after the South Bend Y merged with the YMCA of Southwest Michigan and moved its local operations to the O’Brien Center.
In addition to weight training and cardio equipment, plans for the new downtown space include a basketball court, racquetball court, indoor track, swimming pool, aqua classes and fitness classes. Beacon donates much of its equipment to the YMCA.
“Our new location in downtown South Bend continues the Y’s legacy of more than 140 years in this area,” Andre Gammage, a YMCA board member and St. Joseph County justice of the peace, said in a news release.
The YMCA plans to sign a new three-year agreement with South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts to remain at the O’Brien Center, its fitness center at 321 E. Walter St.
“We are really grateful to the YMCA for helping to maintain our downtown fitness location,” Bauer said. “We are excited to work with the YMCA and continue the partnership we have established with them at the O’Brien Center, but expand that partnership into the downtown area.”
Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordansmith09
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