After more than 30 years of serving Des Moines families, the John R. Grubb Community YMCA, 1611 11th St., will be closing its doors Feb. 28 so the city can prepare the site for the opening of the new Reichardt Community Recreation Center at the same address. The $18 million Reichardt center includes many amenities including an NBA-sized basketball court, elevated track, fitness space and pool and community rooms. A fundraising campaign raised over $6 million for the project in 2023. The center is named after the Reichardt family, who donated $1.2 million to the project. The Grubb YMCA opened in 1994 in a city-owned building that once housed Dowling Catholic High School. Cameron Nicholson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and a former executive director of the Grubb YMCA, said in a news release that the facility served as a gathering space for the neighborhood. “People came here, and stayed here, because they felt recognized, respected and valued here,” Nicholson said. “The upcoming closing evokes a lot of emotions, but the overwhelming feeling we have is one of pride – pride in all the staff, volunteers and members, past and present, who made the Grubb Y special for every person who walked in our door.” Nicholson said that although the physical facility is closing, the YMCA will remain an active presence in the neighborhood, operating school-based programs that provide child care and summer enrichment opportunities as well as the Metro League basketball program. With the closing of the Grubb Y location, YMCA members will have access to three fitness communities in the Des Moines area: the Wellmark YMCA downtown, the Walnut Creek Family YMCA in West Des Moines and the Waukee Family YMCA. Current staff at the Grubb YMCA will be able to apply for open positions at other YMCAs in the metro area, Nicholson said.

Editor’s note:

This story was updated at 2 p.m. Jan. 14, 2026 to include correct information about for whom the center is named.