YMCA plans to open downtown South Bend campus
SOUTH BEND — The YMCA of Greater Michiana plans to open a new campus in downtown South Bend in a fitness center currently run by a hospital system.
While maintaining its operations at the O’Brien Center on the city’s south side, the YMCA plans to move into the third and fourth floors of the Memorial Leighton Healthplex, at 111 W. Jefferson Blvd., just across Main Street from the St. Joseph County Courthouse. The YMCA would take over the fitness center run by Beacon Health System, a local hospital system that would allow its members to shift over to the YMCA without any fees.
YMCA members could begin to use the facility in June, soon after Beacon moved out by May 31. The deal is to go before the South Bend Redevelopment Commission for approval in its meeting Thursday.
The city of South Bend took ownership of the Jefferson Boulevard site in late March as part of a multimillion dollar development deal involving Beacon. The hospital system will retain the first floor of the building on the lot’s south side for its physical rehabilitation programs and office space until at latest the end of 2025, according to a lease Beacon signed with the city.
The YMCA will sign an eight-year, rent-free lease with the city to use the fitness center. In exchange, the YMCA will donate its old building at 1201 Northside Blvd. to the city. Caleb Bauer, executive director of South Bend’s Department of Community Investment, told The Tribune the city plans to demolish that site and pursue eventual redevelopment.
Built in 1964, the old building includes a swimming pool, locker rooms with showers, a full gym, racquetball courts, fitness rooms and other spaces for child
care and educational programming. It’s sat vacant since it closed in May 2020, months after the South Bend Y merged with the YMCA of Southwest Michigan and moved its local operations into the O’Brien Center.
In addition to weight training and cardio equipment, the new space downtown includes a basketball court, racquetball court, indoor track, lap pool, and aquatic and fitness classes. Beacon is donating much of its equipment to the YMCA.
“Our new downtown South Bend location continues the over 140-year legacy of the Y in this region,” Andre Gammage, a member of the YMCA’s Board of Directors and a St. Joseph County Magistrate judge, said in a press release.
The YMCA plans to sign a new threeyear agreement with South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts to remain in the O’Brien Center, its fitness center at 321 E. Walter St.
“We’re really grateful for the YMCA helping to preserve a downtown fitness location,” Bauer said. “We are excited to work with the YMCA and really continue the partnership we’ve had with them at the O’Brien Center, but expand on that partnership in the downtown area.”
Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09