Turn of the Century
As we celebrate the YMCA’s 140th year in the Inland Northwest, we thought it would be a fun opportunity to look back on some of the highlights of our first 14 decades.
Today we look on back on the turn of the 20th century. In 1899 the YMCA moved into the Blake Building on the corner of Riverside and Post. But after 5 years it becomes apparent that the Y has outgrown the facility as it’s serving nearly 10,000 individuals a year. The Y’s board starts a capital campaign to build a new facility for $100,000 and the community responds with a wave of donations so that in1906 the “new” YMCA opens on the corner 1st and Lincoln. The new facility includes a gym, pool, craft shop, cafeteria, coffee shop, billiards room, youth department, adult lounge, and three floors of dormitories.
From that early capital campaign, the Y has continued to grow and expand throughout our region and we’ve seen the community come along in support. Now with branches in north, central and south Spokane, the Spokane Valley and Sandpoint, the Y has expanded to meet growing community needs throughout the Inland Northwest. But we couldn’t have done it without the support of our generous community. We hope you’ll join the thousands who have donated to support the Y over the years by supporting our 140th Anniversary Campaign and making a gift that is meaningful to you to ensure the Y will always be able to serve us all.
