YMCA

YMCA of Southern Arizona was established in 1914 as a gift from the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad Company in return for the right-of-way for passenger trains into Tucson. The grand building at 125 W. Congress St. comprised a 25-room dormitory, a gym and gallery, a Victrola, a billiards room, a library and reading room, and Tucson’s first indoor swimming pool. Services expanded to the Triangle Y Youth Camp in Oracle in 1948, to three downtown branches in the 1950s and 60s; and to the Northwest branch in 1982. In addition to Triangle Y, YMCA now offers four full facility branches, three program sites and eight school sites, serving more than 23,000 members annually. The momentum continues: The Lohse Family Downtown Y recently underwent a $6 million renovation with upgraded facilities and equipment. As the “heartbeat of the community,” the nonprofit is dedicated to community engagement, encouraging healthy living and promoting youth development. 

PHOTO COURTESY YMCA OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA