In with the new: YMCA of Abilene nearing completion of $5.6 million in renovations

The end is almost in sight for a two-year, $5.6 million remodel-and-expansion project at the YMCA of Abilene at Redbud Park.

"Part of it was much needed maintenance – upgrading the AC units and sewer and those kind of practical things," said CEO David Hendricks about the major renovations at the facility built in the mid-1980s.

"The other was just meeting expectations of the public. People expect nicer, newer, brighter facilities, and so it was just getting us up to speed," he said.

In terms of design esthetics, that means high ceilings, more windows, a bigger lobby, a dedicated rooms for cycling and fitness classes, adding a family locker room and updating the men's and women's lockers that include restrooms, changing rooms and showers.

Infants to 90-year-olds use the facility that includes after-school and summer day care, aquatic center, indoor gyms, exercise and weight equipment, racquetball courts, baby-sitting at the kid's zone while parents use the facility and more.

"So just like an old home, you're gonna have to remodel and bring it up to expectations," Hendricks said.

Youth sports leagues also are offered, including soccer, basketball, flag football and volleyball.

"The reason we do sports is for values. So, we want the health benefits for kids. And, we want them to learn sportsmanship and respect," Hendricks said.

The YMCA first opened in Abilene in 1946. In summer 2019, the YMCA closed its facility at 3250 State St. to maximize resources. Texas Leadership Charter Academy since has opened a secondary campus at the remodeled facility.

Work in phases

Construction at the Redbud Park facility kicked off in April 2020, and updates were tackled in phases. At times programs, classes and equipment were shifted inside the YMCA like Tetris blocks.

Completed projects include a new exterior and entrance, larger parking lot, expanded lobby, pool party room and 10,000-square-foot child care wing.

A dedicated cycling room almost is finished, and major work continues in converting the former child care space into a fitness facility called the Wellness Center. It will house cardio and weight machines and have locker rooms.

Target opening is late April, Hendricks said.

Part of the exterior upgrades included adding more windows to the Wellness Center, including along an interior wall that connects to the pool.

"We had a lot of people that didn't even know we had a pool," Hendricks said.

During an early phase of construction, one of the three racquetball courts was converted into the cardio area. A mezzanine and windows were added so that members could see the park while they run on treadmills.

"It's kind of Band-Aid, to give us a cardio center until we get the new Wellness Center open," Hendricks said.

But, the old cardio area was evening less inviting.

"Cardio used to be in a little room where you just looked at a doorway. There were low ceilings and no windows," Hendricks said.

When the Wellness Center opens, equipment will remain in the converted racquetball court for trainers to conduct circuit training.

The YMCA has two gyms, but the smaller one temporarily serves as the weight room.

Fitness classes that were held in the small gym are now in the new group exercise room.

"We had classes before but we didn't have a dedicated space for them, so they used that small gym and rolled out a portable sound system," Hendricks said.

Where the women's locker was located, a cycling room has been created. It will feature a projection system, strobe lights and music for an immersive cycling experience. Previously, the bikes were moved in and out of a room used for other exercise activities.

The facilities enable the staff to offer programs in dedicated spaces, instead of shuffling activities, which reduced the times activities could be scheduled, Hendricks said.

"We can just expand everything. We were doing a lot of this already, but with a dedicated group exercise room, a dedicated cycling room, we can expand our offerings, so we can offer more classes," Hendricks said.

Changing needs of members, families

Some of the facility updates point to the YMCA's goal of meeting community needs, Hendricks said.

"Part of our reasoning behind the expanded lobby was seating, because we're a social place also. We have a lot of seniors that come and just drink coffee after their workout. They sit and visit, so it's a social outlet for them also," Hendricks said.

A third locker room designated for families for gives members another option for assisting their loved ones. The locker includes several private bathrooms with showers and lockable doors.

"If dad brings a daughter to swim or mom brings a son, or we have an older couple that one has dementia or something like that, there's a place that's respectful for them to be able to help change," Hendricks said.

Part of the updates of the men's and women's lockers involved removing the whirlpool in each room. Two whirlpools are now on the pool deck.

Also built near the pool is a room for children's birthday parties and other celebrations. Previously, the events were held in the child care center.

When the Wellness Center opens, the small gym will be restriped for pickleball. It's a fast-growing sport that combines elements of table tennis, tennis and badminton.

"it's a growing trend, so we're gonna try it," Hendricks said.

New child-care wing

The expansion part of the project involved adding a 10,000-square-foot child-care wing, bringing the facility's total footprint to just under 60,000 square feet.

A separate entrance and check-in area means children are no longer walking through the main lobby. The new arrangement also is more convenient for parents to drop off and pick up their children.

"Licensing loves it because we don't have the interaction with strangers. So it's real positive to them that we're kind of isolated over here," Hendricks said about the separate entrance.

The center also has five themed classrooms. The arts and music classroom has a stage. Cooking and nutrition classes are taught in the kitchen, which has full-size appliances. The principles of science, technology, engineering, the arts and math come together when students crafts and build projects in the STEAM classroom.

Two multipurpose classrooms will facilitate games, tutoring, homework and other activities.

Youngsters also have access to two outdoor playgrounds and can use the small gym, which has a direct entrance to the child care facility.

A Y just for Abilene

The shifting of services and jackhammering of foundations to lay new sewer lines has come when COVID-19 diminished attendance at the facility.

"We're still not up to our membership numbers pre-COVID," Hendricks said.

But those who have returned "are amazed" at the updates so far, Hendricks said.

The renovations are funded through local donations and grants, which is indicative of each YMCA being locally managed.

"Every Y is different because we're all just based on what the needs are in the community," Hendricks said.

That includes being operated by a local board and funded through local dollars.

"We do have a corporate office, but they're just a support office. We don't get funding from national YMCA dollars that roll in or anything like that," Hendricks said. "So, this Y is owned by Abilene, Texas. We're all completely independent."

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporter and food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: YMCA of Abilene nearing completion of $5.6M in renovations