Branch History
History
The South Side YMCA was called the German Branch from 1879 to 1908 and operated from several locations before the present building on Grand was constructed in 1936 from funds raised in the 1924 capital campaign. The national YMCA Indian Guides program originated at the South Side YMCA in 1926.
In 1990, the Carondelet and South Side YMCAs boards of managers and director-level staff were merged and then referred to as the South City YMCA.
As a result of the Vision 2000 Capital Development Program, the new 48,000 square foot South City Family YMCA on Sublette opened its doors on December 9, 2000.
In November of 2009 the City of St. Louis built the 76,000 square foot Carondelet Park Rec Complex. This green facility located in Carondelet Park is operated by the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. Due to this unique partnership and as a benefit to City of St. Louis residents, the City and the YMCA of Greater St. Louis agreed on a reciprocal agreement between the Rec Complex and South City Family YMCA. Members of each branch have full member access to both branches.
If you have visited South City Family YMCA lately you may have noticed quite a few changes at the branch. We want to thank each of you for your patience during our growth spurt and look forward to sharing the new expanded facility with you this fall. More than 7,000 sq. feet of space will be added, including a dedicated yoga room, a member-requested cycling room and a large multi-purpose or community room. This addition will also make room for an expanded fitness center and the addition of a larger Child Watch area.
