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 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 | |
2020 | The new Community Aquatic center opened in February bringing the Y footprint to over 100,000 square feet. |