Archive: Around Town

The Ithaca Y is one of the oldest YMCAs in the country and shares the proud heritage of all YMCA's as being the largest provider of childcare and volunteer run organizations in the country. Our YMCA has a respected history of support to the youth and families of Ithaca and Tompkins County.

The first North American YMCA was established in Boston in 1852 and the Ithaca Y first record of a meeting was held in the reading room of the Cornell public library on November 23, 1868.  Since then our Y has had many milestones...

• 1889 - 1907 YMCA programs were organized in many locations throughout Ithaca,
• July 1,1907 was the purchase of the Buffalo St property, 
• October 12, 1907 was the dedication of the new YMCA facility,
• 1910 established the first resident camp,
• 1930-1940 we had renowned wrestling and basketball teams,
• September of 1943 we housed the USO,
• 1947 Camp Adventure was established,
• October 11, 1951 management council was formed,
• 1966 the NY Giants and the Pittsburg Steelers football game was held to raise funds for a new facility,
• May 1978 the Buffalo St facility was destroyed by fire,
• October 1982 new facility on Graham Rd opens,
• 2002 the new gym, fitness, and youth locker rooms were added on and looking toward the future of community health is the YMCA Health and Wellness center 

 
The YMCA Health and Wellness center with all the equipment and programs is perfectly positioned to serve the seasoned athlete as well as the beginning health seeker looking to improve their quality of life through a health and wellness program.  The Y now has over 5000 members and serves about 10,000 people every year. The facilities include, five racquet ball courts, two swimming pools, dance studio, cardio and fitness areas, weight room, three on site child care areas, five locker rooms, and the college sized gym!  We have over 42 classes in health and wellness, 84 swim classes for infants to adults, 6 youth sports programs,  2 swim teams, a racquet ball league, pick up basket ball and volley ball.


The YMCA has over 5000 members who participate in a variety of programs and activities that improve their families well being.  Becoming active is critical to their success and the use of two swimming pools, gymnasium, fitness equipment, racquetball, cardio vascular, and dance studio along with childcare and afterschool programs supports their efforts. The Wellness Center addition will provide space for education, testing, and support for individuals who are concerned about their health.

The Y will celebrate its anniversary all month long with "Activate a Friend" campaign.  Between November 1st and November 21st all YMCA members 18 years and older are encouraged to invite a guest or guests to join them at the Y for free. The guest must come with the Y member and share in an activity with their friend.  Each time both come to the Y,  the Y member will have their name placed in a drawing to win prizes and the friend will be invited to our 140th celebration party on Friday November 21.  All friends of members will receive a waiver for a $30.00 joiners fee to help continue their health and wellness program at the Y.  All members and their guests are invited to the celebration where we will have food refreshments, prizes, and testimonials about the 21 days of November and it how it has helped people to activate and get healthy.

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