About Us

1954

First organizing committee met and a temporary board of directors was named.

1955

An organizing board was established.

The YMCA accreditation application was sent.
AEC provided use of T-18 building to the YMCA at the price of $1.00 per year (with utilities included) as long as the YMCA would maintain and repair the building as needed.

Created by an “Act of Congress,” the Los Alamos YMCA chapter became the first YMCA in the nation to be chartered as a “Family” YMCA
10/1/55 was Ray Catan’s first day on the job as YMCA Executive Director.
10/30/55 was the first official YMCA board meeting in which Jesse Rose was elected as YMCA Board President.

1956

The YMCA was moved from T-18 to the Gamma Building at 15th Street and Central Avenue.

The Y was accepted into the United Way, then known as the "Community Chest." Early Y work included hosting a local community calendar. Programs were operated in conjunction with the county recreation program, and were funded until 1962 by county grants.

1962

The Y became independent from the county.

1963

The YMCA was moved to a dorm building at 15th Street and Iris Street under an AEC lease, which is its current location.

1964

Planning for the first capital campaign was begun. By the beginning of the campaign the YMCA had three phases of development in mind:

Phase I: $180,000- For a Youth & Community Site
Phase II: $ 300,000- For an Adult Health Club
Phase III: $450,000- For a Swimming Pool Facility

1965

Phase I was scaled down and produced approximately $88,000.

The concept of the Swimming Pool was passed to Los Alamos County in hopes that the construction occur on YMCA property.

1966

The YMCA offices were moved again to the Miles Building, rent free, for the duration of the construction of the new facility.

Four acres of land were purchased at 15th and Iris streets from AEC for $5600.

1967

The new all-purpose YMCA facility was dedicated and opened. The total cost of the project was $51,358.

1968

6/11/68 - Opening day for the new health club facility. Two handball and two squash courts were opened along with the new lobby area, weight room, an aerobics room, a small shower area and a larger shower room with a steam room (that was alternately scheduled for men and women's use), and several small administrative offices.

1969

The YMCA officially went from being 10% self staining in 1961, to 100% self- sustaining.

1972

Swimming classes were held at Bob Waterman’s Condominiums pool across the street from the YMCA at 15th St. and Iris St.

The YMCA became a United Way organization as recipients.
A temporary building was placed on YMCA property to house the Los Alamos Family Council.

1975

The YMCA declined offers to lease or buy the playing field at the east end of the post office.

1979

The YMCA began keeping $650,000, 10 7/8% from a 30 year loan, to build a swimming pool.

1980

The YMCA continued to try and finance $1,015,000 for a new building and a swimming pool.

1981

The main YMCA opened a satellite branch in White Rock. The White Rock Branch had 5,000 square feet of rented space; it included an aerobics room, 2 weight rooms, a child care room, a small meeting and class room, and a lobby area. This branch closed in 1990 due to the high cost and low usage.

1983

The swimming pool project was dropped and remodeling projects began to be discussed.

1987-88

The YMCA was completely renovated and expanded. New locker rooms, a whirlpool, a new racquetball court, and an aerobics room were all added to the facility. A capital campaign to build a pool fell far short of goal. Instead, a racquetball court was added, and the Weight room and Aerobics room were enlarged. A proper aerobic floor was installed. Large and modern locker/shower rooms were added, as well as a large spa area with a Jacuzzi and steam room. The new lobby included an area for a pool table and foosball, and the old lobby became a multi-purpose room.

1988

The first YMCA membership cards issued. They were laminated and include the members name and a bar code.

The YMCA replaced the “old” vans with new ones.

1989

April: At the request of LAPS, a trade agreement was made between them and the YMCA to provide aerobics classes for school employees in exchange for usage of space for Before/After School programming.

October: A request by the schools was made to extend usage of the YMCA to the entire facility, not just for aerobics classes.

1990

The First Annual YMCA Family Fun Run was held during Red Ribbon Week.

The First Annual YMCA Bench Press Contest was held.

1991

The first shipment of “bench steps” was received for the first and ever popular Step Aerobics class.

A new trade agreement was made with LAPS that granted them access to the entire facility.
The YMCA before/after school programs became recognized licensed care providers by the State of New Mexico.

1992

The Family YMCA's story was featured in the national magazine, Discovery YMCA.

1993-94

Plans began being proposed for a new YMCA facility or to update with renovations on the existing facility. One of the proposed ideas was that of a “climbing wall.”

In late 1993, the weight room was completely renovated and all the old equipment was replaced with new Cybex machines. The lobby was sacrificed for a "cardio" room, and a treadmill and several Stairmasters were added, as well as new stationary bikes. This prompted a 65% growth in membership.

In late 1994, serving more members and non-members than ever before with classes and programs, a capital campaign with a goal of $1 million was launched to raise funds to expand and renovate the existing facility. The pledge period for the campaign was five years. The expansion plan included a climbing wall and a gymnasium.

1995

The first photo I.D.’s were issued to members.

The finalization processes of the “climbing wall” plans were being made.
The YMCA launches a capital campaign with an aggressive goal of $1,000,000 to build a gymnasium addition on site.

1996

In April, The Family YMCA invites the community to the groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion project. A little over $500,000 of the million dollar goal was pledged.

In May, a 3,000 square-foot space was rented from the Netuschil’s in Central Park Square to expand programming and free up room at the main Y. The move provided an expanded cardio and weight room at the main facility.

1997

In June 1997, the 900 square-foot, 32-foot high climbing wall is added to the south side of the facility. The Climbing Wall has a grand opening in August.

2000

In December, a special use permit is turned down for the Y gymnasium construction to be east of the building. The gym is moved north of the main facility causing cost to increase.

2001

The first Red and Black Ball was held to help raise funds for the gymnasium.

The YMCA stops leasing the Annex space in May, in preparation for a move to the new gym in October. In the fall of 2001, a 5,700 square-foot gymnasium is added to the North side of the main facility. The Annex was closed and classes moved to the "main facility."

2005

A 28-passenger activity bus is purchased for expanded programming with the help of annual campaign funds and a generous gift from the Washington Group.

2007

The Family YMCA operates a summer camp at James Rodriguez elementary school in Española.

The Y enters a partnership with the City of Española to operate a Teen Technology and Recreation Center that opened on October 15, 2007. It is supported by several funding agencies.

2009/10

Awarded a grant from New Mexico's Youth Conservation Corps to employ 18 youth from Española and Los Alamos to improve fire line trails, address wildfire erosion problems, create new trails and build friendships among these neighboring youth.

Strong Kids Golf Classic held in June 2009.

Phases 1 and 2 of a three part expansion plan is completed by the "bump-out" of the cardio room, conversion of a part of the spa area to offices, and the expansion of the circuit room. An office is rented off-site for program staff.

2011

Los Alamos County awards the Y a contract to operate a Teen Center. It opens in January. The Center is a result of a grass-roots community effort expressing a need for support of teenagers. It is located across from Los Alamos High School, on the ground floor of Trinity on the Hill Church. The Y signs a contract with the County for the administration of the Teen Center and programs serving teens.

In July, the Y completes phase 2 of a facility remodel and update: final expansion of Cardio room, HVAC throughout the facility, offices opened in the converted spa area. The cardo room doubles in size. Phase 3 begins: remodel of locker rooms and lobby.

2013

In March of 2013, the Y Express opens across the street at 140 Central Park Square, adding 600 feet of functional training space and 1,361 feet of group exercise space. Two staff offices are located at this site.

2014

In May, the Y opens an exercise studio at 106 A Longview Drive in White Rock, which closes in 2016 because classes didn’t fill.

In July, the county grants the Y an acre of land to host an educational garden near the North Mesa Tennis Courts as part of a grant from Los Alamos JJAB and State Farm Corporation. The Y withdraws from the LAC Garden lease in 2016 when the property is considered for other recreational development.

2015

In August, Los Alamos County completes a Capital Improvement Project, renovating the Community Building and creating an enlarged space for the LA Teen Center operated by The Family YMCA.

2017

The Family YMCA conducted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion self-assessment provided by The YMCA of the USA. At the time, we became the 72nd of 2,700 YMCAs to earn the Diversity, Inclusion and Global innovation Y status. Additionally, a YUSA’s employee resource group named The Family YMCA a Champion of LGBTQ (we were the 13^th of 13 Y’s to achieve that status at the time.) Our Y has a standing DIG committee where we are forwarding local initiatives.

CEO Linda Daly retires after 19 years of service; Board conducts national search and hires Rob Wilkinson who serves from November 2018-July 2020. In September, the Board hires Chris Daniels, the Y's Chief of Operations, to be CEO. 

In 2020, the county faces the Covid 19 Pandemic. The Y innovates teen programming to serve youth online and in-person; we create virtual fitness programs; and implemented best practices at our gym and in our childcare programs to keep everyone safe.