Central YMCA, the world’s oldest YMCA yesterday announced its sale and pending closure of the site.
In a statement on Instagram they are recognising that as a charity, there are ways that we can make a far greater impact in the communities they serve.
They’ve announced the site will close on 7th February 2025 after serving the community since 1984.
The site is situated at 112 Great Russell Street and mainly operates as a gym, as well as a safe space for people in the community
What caused the closure?
In their full statement, they put the closure down to demographic changes in the city centre, the aging of the club building as well soaring site maintenance costs. The statement then reads that it has become clear that the costs of operations at the Club are now not being covered by the number of members the club can sustain.
They finish the statement by saying that they have concluded the sale of the site, with the best interests of the charity beneficiaries at heart.
The Central YMCA was described as a ‘great space for everyone’.
“It was a sort of utopia”
The reaction on social media outlets has been somber with people talking about the value that the YMCA had on their lives.
On the website, Kevin Lee had described the site as a life-changing venue and as a second home to him.
Karen Krizanovich is a journalist who received her training as a fitness trainer and worked as a personal trainer at the YMCA for over 15 years.
Karen spoke about how the site was so much more than a gym and its closure would lead to some people losing their social circles.
She emphasized its importance to the queer and gay community and how it felt like it had been ripped out without warning.
She also described it as a sort of utopia and that she couldn’t think of one demographic that didn’t go to the YMCA.
A member, that wished to remain anonymous said that it feels like the most vulnerable part of the community has been let down.
Although there are several other YMCA locations in London, Karen said that the loss of this space will have significant consequences for people who relied on it.
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HeadlineAfter 50 years, YMCA announce the closure of their oldest site
Short HeadlineWorld’s oldest YMCA announce closure
StandfirstAfter 50 years, they have announced the closure of their site on 112 Great Russell Street
Central YMCA, the world’s oldest YMCA yesterday announced its sale and pending closure of the site.
In a statement on Instagram they are recognising that as a charity, there are ways that we can make a far greater impact in the communities they serve.
They’ve announced the site will close on 7th February 2025 after serving the community since 1984.
The site is situated at 112 Great Russell Street and mainly operates as a gym, as well as a safe space for people in the community
What caused the closure?
In their full statement, they put the closure down to demographic changes in the city centre, the aging of the club building as well soaring site maintenance costs. The statement then reads that it has become clear that the costs of operations at the Club are now not being covered by the number of members the club can sustain.
They finish the statement by saying that they have concluded the sale of the site, with the best interests of the charity beneficiaries at heart.
The Central YMCA was described as a ‘great space for everyone’.
“It was a sort of utopia”
The reaction on social media outlets has been somber with people talking about the value that the YMCA had on their lives.
On the website, Kevin Lee had described the site as a life-changing venue and as a second home to him.
Karen Krizanovich is a journalist who received her training as a fitness trainer and worked as a personal trainer at the YMCA for over 15 years.
Karen spoke about how the site was so much more than a gym and its closure would lead to some people losing their social circles.
She emphasized its importance to the queer and gay community and how it felt like it had been ripped out without warning.
She also described it as a sort of utopia and that she couldn’t think of one demographic that didn’t go to the YMCA.
A member, that wished to remain anonymous said that it feels like the most vulnerable part of the community has been let down.
Although there are several other YMCA locations in London, Karen said that the loss of this space will have significant consequences for people who relied on it.
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