During the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, the Eastside YMCA shut its doors, sparking concerns among local residents and officials about its future prospects.
As the situation normalized and other YMCA branches in Fort Worth reopened, the facility at 1500 Sandy Lane remained shuttered, suffering from severe damages due to an ice storm in February 2021 and subsequent vandalism in April of the same year.
Community figureheads, including Lillie Biggins, an Eastside advocate and YMCA board member, championed the cause to revitalize the Eastside YMCA. Under the guidance of Mike Brown, the new CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, plans were set in motion to rejuvenate the branch.
“It would be easy for me to walk in and sell the land for $5 million or $6 million and invest it somewhere else right?” Brown remarked. “The hard work is bringing the community together and making sure that the Y has a presence in all of our communities in the Fort Worth region.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is now initiating a $16 million overhaul of the Eastside facility, eyeing a reopening in the fall of 2024.
This initiative is being financially supported by $5.9 million in federal funds, with $2.4 million allocated by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey D-Fort Worth, and an additional $3.5 million sourced from COVID relief funds designated to Tarrant County.
These funds will facilitate the expansion of the center, enhancement of indoor and outdoor activities, the creation of a teen-specific area, and the establishment of a childcare facility.
The refurbished center will also feature an outdoor swimming pool.
“The new center will help the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth achieve its vision of strengthening families by allowing young and old alike to nurture physical, social, and emotional connections,” said Rep. Veasey.
The Eastside YMCA, originally established in 1937 and relocated to its present location in 1968, is a cornerstone of a community where 75% of residents are minorities and 19% live below the poverty line.
Of the $6 million granted by Tarrant County to The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, approximately $3.5 million is earmarked for the Eastside renovation, with the remainder allocated for a new branch in northwest Fort Worth.
Brown anticipates an additional $3.5 million from various sources, paving the way for the construction of a 7,000-square-foot gymnasium/impact center.
The updated branch will cater to the specific needs of the East Fort Worth community, offering childcare, sports programs, job training, community resources, events, and a demonstration kitchen, according to Brown.
Tobi Jackson, an Eastside Fort Worth ISD trustee and head of Fort Worth Sparc, expressed her excitement about the project, highlighting its potential to serve a diverse group of residents.
“This is a miracle. It really was resuscitated,” Jackson stated. “I didn’t know that was going to come back, and I’m thrilled that it did.”
The Eastside YMCA’s revival is part of a broader initiative in East Fort Worth, with the city investing $25.7 million in the Stop Six Hub MLK Community and aquatic centers, and formulating a new transportation strategy for the area. Brown believes the Eastside YMCA will play a crucial role in these developments.
“You see communities thriving, where they have grocery stores, shopping, schools and hospitals, but you have communities that don’t have those resources,” Brown explained. “If we all don’t step in to provide those resources, how will our community thrive?”
