Important Update on the High Ridge YMCA

 

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago regrets to inform High Ridge YMCA members and program participants that it has made the difficult decision to permanently close the High Ridge YMCA starting Saturday, January 30, 2021.  Please know that this decision was made reluctantly and after much deliberation.

Like many other community organizations throughout the Chicagoland area, the YMCA has been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19, making this past year the most financially challenging ever in our 150+ year history.  We experienced significant financial losses last year and again this year.  Our revenues in 2020 were tens of millions of dollars below 2019.

Despite our efforts, the High Ridge Y has been operating at a substantial loss for several years, experiencing significant, double-digit declines in both membership and program enrollment. Membership at High Ridge Y at the end of 2020 was just half of what it was seven years ago. Philanthropy also has declined significantly.  The facility has been at the end of its useful life since before the pandemic, with current deferred maintenance needs estimated to be $3 million. Because we could no longer identify a path to sustainability for this center, we decided with regret to close the facility.

In the meantime, we hope you will consider giving us the opportunity to serve you at any of our Association’s other membership centers across the Chicagoland area.

It has been an absolute honor to be a part of the West Rogers Park community for almost 70 years, and we hope to find other ways to serve the area in the future. Thank you for your support of the High Ridge YMCA.