MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After nearly two years of planning and construction, the new Hutchinson YMCA will officially open its doors Monday, June 8, marking a major milestone for the organization as it celebrates 150 years of service in the community.
Before operations begin, the YMCA will host a public open house and ribbon-cutting event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, giving residents an opportunity to tour the new facility and learn about available programs and amenities.
The current YMCA facility will close permanently at 9 p.m. Thursday. The organization will be closed Friday for donor events and media activities and remain closed Sunday before reopening at its new location at 5 a.m. Monday.
"We couldn't be more excited," Foster said. "We're really blessed with the timeline and everything getting completed."
Construction of the new facility was completed approximately two months ahead of schedule. Foster credited favorable weather conditions and the work of Simpson Construction for helping keep the project on track. Contractually, the project was not expected to be finished until Aug. 1.
The new YMCA, located near 20th Avenue and Lorraine Street, features a variety of amenities, including a full gymnasium, dedicated gymnastics space, expanded fitness areas, an indoor walking track, childcare facilities and the Hutchinson YMCA's first indoor water park. The facility also includes a lazy river, steam room and community spaces highlighting local attractions such as the Cosmosphere, Strataca and the Kansas State Fair.
Foster said the indoor track spans seven-and-a-half laps per mile and offers views both inside and outside the building.
The project was made possible in part through the donation of 10 acres of land by Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Foster said the larger site addresses parking concerns that have challenged members at the current location for years.
Current memberships will automatically transfer to the new facility, and membership rates will remain unchanged. The YMCA is also offering a promotion waiving its usual $75 joiner fee through June 15.
According to Foster, more than 250 new membership units signed up during the first phase of the organization's promotional campaign.
The opening comes during a significant year for the YMCA, which is celebrating 150 years of service in Hutchinson. Foster noted that while the new building represents an exciting chapter, the organization's mission remains unchanged.
"The Y is more than a building," Foster said. "It's about the memories that are made, the milestones people accomplish and the relationships built over time."
Saturday's open house will allow residents to explore the facility through self-guided tours while YMCA staff answer questions and assist with memberships and program registrations. QR codes will also be available to allow visitors to register directly from their mobile devices.
Foster said the new facility is designed to serve all ages, from young children to seniors, and will continue the YMCA's longstanding focus on youth development, healthy living and community engagement.