The YMCA of Greater New
York offi cially opened its new
state-of-the-art branch located
in the Northeast Bronx
on Thursday, Sept. 9, with
a ribbon-cutting ceremony
and an impressive turnout
of some of the top dignitaries
in the borough. They were on
hand to recognize the magnitude
of opening the fi rst of
two new YMCAs in the Bronx
since the ’80s.
The grand opening ceremony
included remarks
from the likes of U.S. Rep.
Jamaal Bowman, New York
State Assembly Speaker Carl
Heastie, state Sen. Jamal
Bailey, NYC Mayor Bill de
Blasio and Bronx Borough
President Ruben Diaz Jr. Former
New York Knicks great
John Starks was also in attendance
and ventured in
the YMCA’s new basketball
gym to put some of the kids
through shooting drills.
The 50,000-square-foot facility,
built amid a three-acre
“urban forest,” was developed
in full partnership with
a broad coalition of community
leaders and elected offi -
cials and in response to the
critical need for a community
hub and the wide array
of social, educational, cultural
and health programs
and services that the YMCA
provides to people of all ages.
The branch — the fi rst
new YMCA in the Bronx in
more than 30 years — includes
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,16 SEPT. 17-23, 2021 BTR
a unique urban agricultural
roof and an elaborate
teaching kitchen for
members to learn the importance
of nutrition and eating
healthy. The facility is
home also to a contemporary
aquatics center featuring two
pools, a magnifi cent gymnasium
for basketball and other
sports, modern fi tness center
and wellness studios, and
much more.
A second YMCA facility is
slated to open in October; the
two YMCAs come at a combined
cost of $100 million.
A second YMCA facility is
slated to open in October; the
two YMCAs come at a combined
cost of $100 million.
-Bronx Times
(above) NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks to attendees.
(top middle) The new YMCA in Edenwald touts a state-of-the-art fi tness
center.
(top left) Ex-Knicks great John Starks has some fun on the court with
area kids at the grand opening of the new YMCA in the Edenwald section
of the Bronx. Photos Adrian Childress
New Northeast YMCA opens