LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Republic Bank Foundation YMCA in West Louisville was officially dedicated Wednesday, welcoming neighbors, residents, community officials and civic leaders.
The $33.5 million investment, located at 1720 West Broadway, is the first major investment in West Louisville in several decades and is unique for Louisville and across the country, with plans of impacting community health and wellness by providing accessible options to multiple programs and services. Collaborative partners will provide healthcare, financial services and more. The new building is expected to add a half-million dollars of new annual payroll to the area.
The 77,500 s.f. building includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, 25-meter swimming lap/family pool, gymnasium, classrooms, modern locker rooms, an indoor track and a Kid’s Club that offers childcare while members exercise. There will also be a Best Buy Teen Tech Center that will help prepare local youth for tech-reliant jobs. Along with its partners, the Y expects to serve about 20,000-25,000 unique visitors each year.
Republic Bank & Trust, Norton Healthcare, ProRehab Physical Therapy, Family and Children’s Place and Gilda’s Club are all collaborating partners with offices and facilities inside the shared space. Members will be able to access the Y’s facilities as well as the services provided by collaborating partners. Those who are not YMCA members can still access those partner services as well.
The new facility is more than a building or a gym, according to YMCA president and CEO Steve Tarver.
“Community integrated health – health equity. Every word reflected in the vision for this project has critical meaning,” said Tarver. “This is about using collaboration to expand the opportunities for everyone to have equitable access to healthy choices. Physical activity, safety, personal relationships, economics, education, food access, among others, are social determinants that all contribute to health. We are proud of the facility, but the success rests in working together to engage people regardless of their circumstances. That work starts now.”
Located on West Broadway along the TARC route, it is now the most accessible YMCA in the area. Additionally, the facility is strategically located near Roosevelt-Perry and Wheatley Elementary schools. The schools and the Y are currently in talks to address potential partnerships that will be beneficial to the students at each of the schools, furthering the YMCA’s commitment to education.
The Y expects to follow its successful partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools and the Norton Commons facility in East Louisville, where students at Norton Commons Elementary School engage in Y programs and both organizations exist in one building. The collaboration will foster opportunities that will benefit the students as well as the entire California, Russell and Parkland neighborhoods and beyond.
“The new Republic Bank Foundation YMCA is a state-of-the-art facility that will help to improve the health and well-being of families in west Louisville,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “As we move forward on one team – Team Kentucky – we must work together with partners like the Y and many more to strengthening our communities and build a bigger, brighter commonwealth for all our families.”
Luckett & Farley designed the building and streetscape. The facility was built by a joint venture of Louisville-based Wehr Constructors Inc. and Harmon Construction Inc. of Indiana. TKT Associates provided workforce recruitment and development support services.
“The state-of-the-art Republic Bank Foundation YMCA will provide opportunity for people from all over the community to boost their personal well-being, physical health, education and financial stability, all under one roof,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “This development, on what had been a barren lot, is a big piece of the nearly $1 billion in capital investment that we’ve seen in west Louisville since 2014, which helps us move toward greater equity. I want to congratulate YMCA of Greater Louisville and its charter partners for this amazing accomplishment.”
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