TOLEDO, Ohio — City of Toledo officials along with the YMCA of Greater Toledo celebrated the opening of the rebuilt Wayman D. Palmer YMCA this week in the Warren-Sherman neighborhood. 

What You Need To Know

  • The 50,000-square-foot facility cost $28.6 million

  • It includes a family-friendly indoor pool, an 8,000-square-foot gym, a large fitness center, a teen lounge, an outdoor splash pad, as well as a food pantry

  • The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA was first opened in 1978 and has been operated by the YMCA since 1995

The project cost $28.6 million, and is a 50,000-square-foot facility that includes a family-friendly indoor pool, an 8,000-square-foot gym, a large fitness center, a teen lounge and an outdoor splash pad. 

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz jumps in to try the new pool at the YMCA. (City of Toledo)
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz jumps in to try the new pool at the YMCA. (City of Toledo)

It also includes a food pantry and community health worker through CareNet, a multipurpose room for community events and more. 

The YMCA is located at the former Inez Nash Park and now extends all the way to Bancroft street. 

"This ribbon cutting is more than the celebration of a new building—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when we come together to support our neighborhoods," Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said. "This facility will serve as a safe, inclusive space where families can thrive, children can grow, and the entire community can come together."

The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA was first opened in 1978 and has been operated by the YMCA since 1995. The city said it has long been a cornerstone in central Toledo, and now serves as a place for after-school programs, youth and adult sports, as well as "grab and go" meals. 

“I am thrilled that with significant federal financial support, the YMCA of Greater Toledo, the City of Toledo, and local partners have made the vision for a new recreation complex in Warren-Sherman a reality. The new Wayman Palmer YMCA is more than a building — it is a beacon of opportunity, a hub of community, and a generational investment in the well-health of our children, families, and neighbors. The new state-of-the art Wayman Palmer YMCA renews our commitment to the health, wellness, and future of both Toledo and the Warren-Sherman neighborhood," Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. D-Ohio, said.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, speaks at the ribbon-cutting event. (City of Toledo)
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, speaks at the ribbon-cutting event. (City of Toledo)

Rebuilding and opening the facility has been a plan years in the making. 

“This new YMCA is going to transform lives. It’s a place for basketball games and swim lessons, for seniors to stay active, for teens to feel seen, and for families to come together. It’s more than a building—it’s a promise to this community,” Brad Toft, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toledo, said.

To help fund the project, $19 million came from the American Rescue Plan Act funds, the YMCA, Community Development Block Grants and the New Markets Tax Credit Equity program. 

“This is what intentional investment looks like,” said Rosalyn Clemens, director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Toledo. “This facility, with all its services and partnerships, will anchor this neighborhood for generations to come.”