YWCA shutting down fitness centers in downtown Minneapolis, Uptown neighborhood

MINNEAPOLIS -- The YWCA is planning to shutter its fitness centers in two Minneapolis locations, starting in November.

The organization announced it would cease offering fitness, gym, and pool operations at the locations along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, as well as the Uptown location along Hennepin Avenue north of Lagoon Avenue.

"One thing we've always prided ourselves on is being able to adapt, and adapt to the needs of the community," Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, said.

For more than 120 years, the YWCA has been a health and wellness hub in the city.

"Fitness has not rebounded after COVID. We used to have about 8,000 members. People work out differently. It's hard to compete with your Lifetime Fitness or your LA Fitness," Carthen Watson said.

Carthen Watson said the decision wasn't easy and it was made after six months of strategic planning.

The Midtown location, along with its health and wellness center and its pool, will remain open. And Carthen Watson said childcare remains a priority, so they'll look to open a new childcare center close to downtown.

"Look at our economy. If we don't get women back to work, our economy is not going to recover. And we need quality, affordable childcare to do that," said Carthen Watson.

The Midtown YWCA will now be the sole focus of programs centered around racial justice, domestic violence, and empowering women and girls, while also catering to their 3,000 remaining members.

"I'd come to yoga three times a week. Loved it. It was a big community," YWCA member Pat Lefebvre said.

Lefebvre and fellow member Pat Palan live just five blocks from the Midtown location. They feel fortunate its doors are staying open.

"I'm so glad that this one is open and we're the lucky ones, and it's still in the neighborhood," said Lefebvre.

Carthen Watson also said that the Midtown YWCA will serve as a community hub with an additional focus on academics and suicide prevention for kids.

The Minneapolis YWCA will also continue to hold its women's triathlon each year, which also happens to be the largest women's triathlon in the country.