Reimagined Eastside YMCA Opens

It takes a village to care for a community.

With the help of multiple funders and supporters, the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth will officially open the doors to a reimagined and remodeled Eastside YMCA Community Impact Center, designed to serve as a catalyst for community change and empowerment for the Fort Worth neighborhood.The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at 1500 Sandy Lane in Fort Worth.

The event will showcase the results of the first phase of a three-phase redevelopment and expansion effort of the Eastside YMCA, situated on 16.4 acres. That initial phase included renovation of the existing building and outdoor areas; room for learning, wellness and fitness; a community demonstration kitchen; and redesigned spaces for teens and youth to explore fitness and technology.

The YMCA also plans to build a full-sized gymnasium and revitalize the outdoor sports field and court and establish a childcare center on-site to provide a safe and nurturing environment for area children. The YMCA will offer income-based scholarships and financial support for memberships and programs.

The YMCA’s Eastside location faced a temporary closure in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted its essential services and programs. Efforts to revitalize the building and transform it into a Community Impact Center began in 2021 under the leadership of YMCA president and CEO Mike Brown and a dedicated committee of advocates and leaders. The YMCA also held a series of listening sessions with residents to seek input on the types and delivery of services that would be most impactful.

Renovation efforts were made possible with support from the City of Fort Worth, the Sid Richardson Foundation, and U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, who helped secure $2.4 million in federal funding. An additional $3.5 million was provided through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The total cost for the revitalization efforts is anticipated to be $16 million. The YMCA is seeking additional funding to support the final phases of the project.

Thanks to Cook Children’s Health Care System and Texas Health Resources, Eastside families in need will also have access to no-cost fresh produce and other staples to support well-being.

The Community Impact Center will be home to one of 20 Good For You Healthy Hub locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Good For You program is an initiative of Texas Health Community Hope, where Texas Health lives its mission to improve community well-being. Healthy Hubs offer fresh fruits and vegetables as well as recipe cards, cooking utensils, nutrition education workshops and other resources to help families in need make the most of the produce they receive. Cook Children’s Center for Community Health provided a two-year grant to help fund the Eastside YMCA Healthy Hub location, and will offer educational sessions that focus on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other ways to support healthy lifestyles.

“Everything we do at the YMCA is in service of ensuring that people and communities thrive,” Brown said. “We are grateful to the many partners and supporters who’ve helped us restore this important resource for the Eastside community and look forward to continuing our efforts in the next phases of this project.”

In addition to the official grand opening of the Eastside Community Impact Center, the YMCA will host a community block party to introduce nearby residents to the new facility from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 18.