History

Celebrating Our Past

The YMCA originated in 1844 in London, England.  Today, there are over 2,600 YMCAs in the United States.  YMCAs are located in 124 countries worldwide, serving over 45 million people.  The Y in Sheridan had an early start in 1901 when J.D. Loucks spurred the development of a YMCA including a reading room and gymnasium. In 1915, H.E. Reckard and Loucks proposed a new building. The organization faltered as a result of World War I and other factors.

 

 

The YMCA is Reborn

March 1959 Organized First Board, Homer A. Scott - First President
April, 1959 Hired Executive Director William J. McCartney
February 1960 Moved into the former telephone building at 35 North Brooks.
1962 First Campaign
Donald H. Roberts, Chairman
1,300 Contributors
$900,000 including Whitney Benefits

 building from air

  

Building a Community Center

1963   Construction Started
1964   YMCA/Whitney Community Center Grand Opening
1974   Arts and Crafts Room and Three Racquetball Courts
1980   Second Gym and Drop-In Center
1981   Scott Pool
1984   Weight Room Expansion, Racquetball Courts, and Gold Locker Rooms
1990   Soccer Field Expanded
1998   “Project 2000” raised $3.2 million for Third Gym, Weight Room Expansion, Game Room, and Facility Renovation
 2005  

"Celebrating the Past, Creating the Future" -- Campaign to Strengthen the YMCA Endowment, and renovation of Child Care, locker rooms, weight rooms and facility facelift 
 2008   Purchase of the former Pines Mountain Lodge for resident camp.  The camp is named Camp Roberts in memory of Ermal and Don H. Roberts for their years of commitment and support of the Y
 2012   Purchase of former Wilson Veterinary Clinic on Jefferson Street for expanded parking and green space