25-04-2025
Sneak Peek: Inside Gary's Future $35 Million YMCA Campus
City officials, community leaders, and residents gathered in Gary's Tolleston neighborhood to mark the start of construction on a $35 million YMCA and Boys & Girls Club campus. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday at the site of the former Tolleston Middle School, where the 91,000-square-foot facility will be built.'When we invest in our residents and create spaces for connection, we build the strongest possible foundation for our city's future,' Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said during the groundbreaking ceremony. 'Today, we break ground on a new chapter in Gary's story — one where our community stands at the center of everything we do.'Designed as a hub for youth development, wellness, education, and recreation, the center will include a multipurpose gym, classrooms, a wellness center, child development facilities, a teaching kitchen, outdoor recreation areas, and community gathering spaces. Construction is expected to move quickly, with foundational work beginning this summer and interior renovations slated to start after Christmas. The facility is scheduled to open in 2026.
A combination of public and private funding financed the $35 million project. The city of Gary and its partners contributed $10 million, Indiana's READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) grant added another $10 million, and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation committed $15 million. The foundation initially committed $10 million, but announced an additional $5 million on Wednesday to help fully execute the vision of the center.
The new facility will offer fitness programs, health care services through Methodist Hospital, and educational services through the Boys & Girls Club.
'The Tolleston Opportunity Hub isn't just a new beginning — it's a continuation of everything that this building has meant to me and to this community member who has walked through those doors,' said Marcus Steele Jr., program director of the Boys & Girls Club and a former club member.
Capital B Gary obtained conceptual renderings that offer a first glimpse of the facility as envisioned for its 2026 opening. While not final, the designs reflect input from local leaders and community members, showcasing the vision guiding the project's development.
Pool: The pool will be a traditional recreation pool offering water aerobics, water exercise classes, and swim classes for all ages — including children as young as 6 months. In addition, there will be a warm water therapy pool to help with muscle and injury therapy.
Basketball Court: The large recreational space will include an indoor track and a full-size basketball court. With several hoops suspended from the ceiling, the gym can be used in a variety of ways. Drop-down curtains will divide the space into three sections, making it possible to host multiple activities at once for different age groups and needs.
Parking/Entrance: The new YMCA entrance sign will face Taney Place instead of West 19th Avenue, creating different entrances for community members. The redesigned parking lot will include more spaces to better accommodate more guests.
Indoor:
High ceilings were taken into account in the design to maximize natural lighting, making the club look bright, open, and welcoming to those who use the facility.
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