Who We Are
We work towards bettering Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility within our community.
Health. Wellness. Friendships. Challenges. Triumphs. Laughter. Fitness. Fun.
What We Do
The Mission of the Mankato Family YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, body and social well-being for all. YMCA Character Development is the foundation of our programs and activities. Our five core values are Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith.
The Mankato Family YMCA, formerly The Mankato Young Mens Christian Association, recorded its early beginning in 1874. Membership included a few men from Centenary Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and The First Presbyterian Church. The group disbanded and re-organized 9 years later in 1892. Meeting rooms were rented at 313 South Front Street, the former Osco Drug location in the former Mankato Mall. Today that space is the open court area next to the Intergovernmental Center in Mankato Place. In 1903 the decision was made to construct a modern YMCA facility. A fund drive was completed to cover the estimated cost and in 1905 the new facility was dedicated and at home on the corner of Cherry and Second Streets. The Building On the Corner, as it was dubbed, had a pool, a gym and some athletic equipment. The YMCA was a hub for young men and boys during the Great Depression and World War II years. The building was used to full capacity. In 1957 the building and site were sold to the Greyhound Bus Company. The Oscar W. Schmidt residence was purchased in 1958 from the profits of the sale. 111 Park Lane became the next home address to the YMCA. 1961-62 marked another fundraising effort. $110,000.00 was raised for an addition to the Schmidt house, a regulation size swimming pool, a gym, one handball court and locker rooms. The name Mankato Family YMCA was adopted in 1962. Also in that year, YMCA membership was expanded to include women and families. Growth exploded and by 1970 the facility and programs were again at full capacity. $660,000.00 was raised in the next campaign and in 1972, with construction complete, the YMCA now had 4 regulation size handball/racquetball courts, an exercise room, a shallow water swimming pool and additional office space. A fund drive in 1976 netted $330,000 in pledges that enabled the payment of the mortgage and nearly $75,000 added to the Endowment Fund. 1975-1985 continued a healthy growth in membership and programs as well as a stable financial condition. In 1987 approximately 1.2 million was raised to construct a second gym and add additional locker room space. In 1992 a $300,000 fundraiser launched the next project that included remodeling of existing space into our Life Center & Free Weight Room, childcare and pre-school program space. In 1999 over 250 volunteers raised funds for a year and a half for our largest expansion project to date. This $4.8 million project transformed the YMCA into a state-of the-art facility in 2001. When the construction was complete we had a newly renovated swimming pool and gym, the Taylor Family Aquatic Center, a new entrance, lobby and expanded parking. We doubled the size of the Life Center, added the Aerobic, Cycling and Mind/Body Studios and Pepsi Cube Recreation Center plus more than tripled the size of our drop in childcare space.
For more history you can go to https://mankatoymca.org/about-2/
