The new Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Kansas City will open October 11, followed by a ribbon cutting celebration at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 14.
The Kirk Family YMCA, at 222 W 11th Street in the former Lyric Theatre building, has been opening in phases. In May, it began serving 50 children a week in a YMCA summer day camp program, which will run through August 13, addressing an important need to provide learning and social opportunities for youth while supporting working parents.
After the grand opening in October, all of the programs and amenities at the Kirk Family YMCA will be open and the center will be able to serve members and program participants who live or work downtown, as well as host community events.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming members and the community to the new Kirk Family YMCA in October,” said John Mikos, president and CEO. “Traffic and energy is increasing downtown, and the new Y will be open to support the increasing number of workers returning downtown.”
Tours will be available from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. on Fridays beginning in August, leading up to the opening.
The Y also will serve the increasing number of young professionals, families and empty-nesters who call downtown home. The 65,000 square-foot facility features community rooms, a teaching kitchen, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two indoor pools, gymnasium and an outdoor synthetic turf field, delivering a much-needed community health and wellness center in the heart of Kansas City’s downtown.
“The community is craving opportunities to connect with one another in a safe environment, and the Y looks forward to offering that as we continue to come together and move forward beyond the pandemic,” Mikos said.
The Y is now hiring for 75 part-time positions at the Kirk Family YMCA, plus 185 full- and part-time positions at other locations throughout the metro. Hiring events will begin at the Kirk Family YMCA in August. Visit KansasCityYMCA.org/Careers for more information and to apply.
For more information about tours or to learn more about a Corporate Wellness partnership with the Y, email Kirk@KansasCityYMCA.org.
For more information and the latest updates, visit KansasCityYMCA.org/Downtown.
About the Kirk Family YMCA
The $35-million renovation and reconstruction project was made possible by public and private funds, including charitable gifts from foundations and individual donors.
The Y is named for the Kirk family, longtime YMCA of Greater Kansas City donors and supporters of the new downtown Y. The family includes the late Phil Kirk, the former chairman of DST Realty, which is now part of SS&C Technologies. He played a key role in Kansas City’s downtown revitalization and was instrumental in bringing the new Y to the former Lyric Theatre.
Features of the new 65,000-square-foot Kirk Family YMCA include:
- Preservation of the facade and lobby of the historic building including the original marble floors, ornate ceiling finishes and more to become the new Y entrance.
- A 45,000-square-foot section of new construction built on the north side of the lobby featuring a contemporary design. Behind the building, there is an outdoor space for events and youth sports.
- Dramatic two-story windows in the new limestone walls along Central Street bringing natural light into the space and creating a contemporary, eye-catching look for the building’s exterior. The limestone came from the same quarry that provided the limestone for the original Lyric building.
Amenities inside the new Kirk Family YMCA include:
- Three community rooms for a variety of activities, including one with a teaching kitchen for healthy eating, nutrition and cooking classes.
- An indoor activity pool and lap pool for swim lessons, exercise and recreational opportunities.
- A gymnasium that can be used for basketball, volleyball, and other sports.
- A large health and wellness area offers a space for guests to improve their health through cardiovascular exercise and strength training featuring the latest state-of-the-art equipment.
- Three studios for group exercise.
- A suspended indoor walking and jogging track that will offer views of the lower levels of the center.