Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA Undergoes $2.5 Million Renovation
The Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA recently held a ribbon cutting and grand re-opening for a $2.5 million renovation on the 85-year-old building. Founded in 1890 in Fort Worth, the YMCA moved into the current downtown location in 1925 – with Amon G. Carter, Sr. laying the cornerstone for the construction in 1924. The YMCA was named in honor of Amon G. Carter, Jr. in recognition of his faithful service to the organization during his life.
For the last 85 years, the YMCA has served the downtown community in the landmark building, and the new renovations were designed to appeal to the growing and changing downtown Fort Worth community. Already, the new XTO Wellness Center has seen a rise in usage in evening hours after work, reaching young professionals who forego happy hour for a healthier hour of working out. The XTO Wellness Center has been completely reconfigured and moved to the first floor, with added cardio and strength training equipment, a new group exercise room and an area dedicated to CrossFit training. A new child watch room provides a benefit for member families with young children, allowing parents to work out while their children are in the interactive play area. And new locker rooms add a brighter touch.
The renovated lobby has a bright, industrial look in keeping with its downtown location, with a new member lounge overlooking the pool. Work is continuing on the third floor, where multi-purpose rooms will hold teen programs and some of the new Arts & Humanities offerings, including summer arts day camps, family guitar lessons and more.
In addition, many of the familiar activities and facilities remain, including two indoor pools where swim lessons, lap swimming and water aerobics are popular year-round activities. The vintage, suspended wooden track above the fitness floor still vies with sleek, touch-screen treadmills as a popular choice for runners or walkers. And, of course, the pick-up basketball games continue at lunch time, providing a recreational and social outlet for players each day, many of whom have participated regularly for decades.
The Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA also provides a valued service through its Ella McFadden Child Development Center, which provides quality pre-school care for children every week day while parents are at work.
With its refreshed look, new state-of-the-art equipment and familiar as well as new programming, the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA is well suited to serve downtown Fort Worth residents and workers for generations to come.
John Robinson, Executive Vice President of the Amon G. Carter Foundation, cut the ribbon for the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA. Helping were Tony Shuman, President/CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, Allan Howeth, chair of the Building A Place for You capital campaign and Cindy Milrany, chair of the Board of Directors for the YMCA.
Lindsey Dingmore from XTO Energy cuts the ribbon for the XTO Energy Wellness Center.
Officials from the YMCA’s capital campaign steering committee and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon for the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Welcome Center.