Downtown YMCA to end current memberships, scale back adult gym options

The Sioux Falls Family YMCA will discontinue most of its health and wellness programs for adults as it pivots to offer more youth programs, President Eric Tucker said Monday.

Adult and family memberships at the downtown location will end on Dec. 16, and the Y will reopen on Dec. 18 with a focus on youth programming. Basketball and racquetball courts will remain available during the day for adults along with a scaled back workout area, but the focus will be on expanding popular youth programs, including gymnastics, dance, cheer and martial arts.

The programs for children under 18 will be free, thanks to donations and support from the Sioux Empire United Way.

“All neighborhood kids, they’ll get their own key tabs,” Tucker said. “They’ll get to own the Y like so many adults did when they were kids.”

The new facility will also include a daytime child care facility.

The decision is the latest change for the Y, which has been at its current location at 220 S. Minnesota Ave. since 1919. In 2014, the Y opened a smaller, remodeled workout area on the north end of the building. The old facility, which included a pool, indoor track and restaurant, was remodeled into affordable housing apartments.

"I'm disappointed," said Dan Pansch, a champion racquetball player and 40-year member at the Y. "I think a town the size of Sioux Falls should be able to support a YMCA."

Pansch said he was awaiting more details, but he was worried about scaled back hours for racquetball and an inability to lift weights.

"I live for racquetball," he said. "I lift weights so I can play better racquetball."

He's also concerned by what limiting hours will do for the close-knit racquetball community. Some people come from as far away as Yankton to play each week.

"The Y by far has the best courts and probably the most players," he said. "If you start limiting our time and eliminating the fitness component, you're going to lose a lot of people."

John Mogen, a 25-year member, said he was going to miss the Y and all the friends he made over the years. Mogen said he would move to the Avera McKennan Fitness Center.

"I respect what they're doing," he said of the plan to broaden youth programs. "It's just a struggle for all the health clubs. I just wish it wasn't us."

The decision to close the pool and scale back the gym in 2014 came amid increased competition in health and wellness programs citywide. The Y lost about 400 family memberships in the transition as Great Life expanded into gym memberships and Sanford and Avera expanded their health and wellness programs.

“It is one of the most saturated markets in the country,” Tucker said.

But the Y’s challenges in the health and wellness market reflect a longer-term decline, which saw a 55 percent decrease in membership revenue since 2004. At the same time, overall revenue increased as the Y expanded its youth programs.

That expansion will continue at the downtown facility: Most of the gym equipment will be replaced with pool tables and other activities for kids. Adults will not be allowed in the facility after 4 p.m. (the facility opens at 7 a.m. Monday-Friday) unless they are accompanying their child.

A few machines and a limited amount of weights will continue to be available for adults who use the facility during the day, Tucker said. Memberships will be $39 a month and there will continue to be locker rooms complete with saunas, steam rooms, showers and towel service. The Y will also continue to host youth basketball and the Lewis Racquetball Tournament.

The first floor will feature a new child care center and teen activity center, while the second floor will be used for youth activities, including pickle ball and indoor Wiffle Ball.

“It’s really all about growing,” Tucker said. “It’s just the right thing to do for the Y.”