Durham YMCA Construction

The Downtown Durham YMCA is more than a place. It's a starting point - for young and old. Whether it's in the pool, on the court or in the community, we bring families, adults and children together.

Some of our members call us the Bull City's living room, others refer to us as their second home. All agree we are at the heart and in the heart of Durham. 

Change with Community. Change for Community.

For 134 years, the YMCA has worked to meet the ever-changing needs of the Durham community. From delivering food in YMCA buses to those with limited transportation options during the pandemic, to after school and summer day camp programs that strive to lessen educational gaps, to weight loss, cancer survivor and diabetes prevention programs - the YMCA strives to be a place for all.

The Downtown Durham YMCA has been at its current location for more than 25 years. Our Mission to serve all compels our YMCA to continually adapt, grow and collaborate to meet the needs of our communities. Currently, the aging Downtown Durham Y facility doesn’t allow for increased Y services in downtown Durham and beyond.

We are undertaking a multi-year construction project that will ensure the YMCA remains at the heart of the vibrant, multi-cultural and growing downtown Durham area. This entails rebuilding a Downtown Durham Y that will better serve the community inside and outside our walls.

A new, full-service YMCA will allow us to partner with even more children, adults and families throughout Durham County with updated health and wellness, educational and teen leadership offerings.

During construction, Y programs will continue throughout the community and at our three other Durham locations - the Lakewood YMCA, YMCA at American Tobacco and the Hope Valley Farms YMCA.