Grubb YMCA News Release

Des Moines, Iowa – After more than 30 years of serving the health and wellness needs of families in Des Moines’ Urban Core neighborhoods, the John R. Grubb Community YMCA will be closing its doors February 28 so the city can prepare the site for the opening of the new Reichardt Community Recreation Center.

The Grubb Y opened in 1994 in a city-owned building at 11th and College that once housed Dowling Catholic High School. In addition to providing neighborhood residents with access to exercise and fitness programs, the Y through the years has served as a community gathering spot and a safe space where kids could learn, play and socialize.

Cameron Nicholson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and a former executive director of the Grubb Y, said the place members call “The Grubb” was a great fit for the neighborhood.

“People came here, and stayed here, because they felt recognized, respected and valued here,” Nicholson said. “The upcoming closing evokes a lot of emotions, but the overwhelming feeling we have is one of pride – pride in all the staff, volunteers and members, past and present, who made the Grubb Y special for every person who walked in our door.”

Nicholson said that although the physical facility is closing, the YMCA will remain an active presence in the neighborhood. “We operate school-based programs that provide childcare and summer enrichment opportunities, and our Girls On the Run program is active in local schools,” he said. “Our Metro League basketball program for high school students, which has been based at the Grubb Y, draws teams from throughout the area, and we see that continuing to grow and expand.”

With the closing of the Grubb Y location, YMCA members will have access to three fitness communities in the Des Moines area: the Wellmark YMCA downtown, the Walnut Creek Family YMCA in West Des Moines and the Waukee Family YMCA. Current staff at the Grubb Y will be able to apply for open positions at other YMCAs in the metro area, Nicholson said.

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About the YMCA of Greater Des Moines

The YMCA of Greater Des Moines is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life united by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. We serve more 75,000 citizens from throughout central Iowa and operate four YMCA fitness communities, the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus in downtown Des Moines and Y Camp resident camp in Boone. For more than 150 years, the Y has remained dedicated to its mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Find out more at www.dmymca.org.

For more information contact:

Ruth Comer
Chief Marketing Officer
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Office: 515.471.8519
Mobile: 515.868.2061
Ruth.Comer@dmymca.org