Facility Renovation Project

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Project Updates:

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING LOCKER ROOMS AND POOL

We are thrilled to announce that the male and female locker rooms will be available for member use starting tomorrow, April 12! The saunas will also be opening tomorrow. We expect the steam rooms will open within the next few days.

POOL ACCESS

Beginning tomorrow, the pool will open for regularly scheduled hours, including Water Exercise classes. Entry into the pool will be through the male and female locker rooms. View the schedule.

LOCKER ROOM AGE REQUIREMENTS

While the family locker room is under construction, the following age requirements will be in place for the male and female locker rooms. Children age 7 and younger may enter any locker room with a parent/guardian. Children age 8 and older should use the appropriate locker room for their gender.

Please review the locker room rules and steam/sauna rules prior to use.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our members who have shown immense patience and support during the renovation process. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you into the new locker rooms tomorrow.

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING LOCKER ROOMS AND POOL

LOCKER ROOMS CLOSED THROUGH THURSDAY
Unfortunately, the locker rooms will NOT be available for use tomorrow, Thursday, April 11, while we work to address a few minor items that were brought to our attention during today’s inspection with the Village of Glen Ellyn. 

A follow-up inspection is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. We will provide an update following the inspection.

POOL ACCESS
The pool will remain open on a limited basis through Thursday, April 11, for lap swim, swim team and swim lessons. Water exercise classes are canceled tomorrow. We request everyone come prepared to swim as there will be no changing space available. 

Until locker rooms open, all access to the pool will continue to be through the outdoor walkway on the south side of the building adjacent to the preschool. Please close the gates when entering and exiting to keep our playground area and walkway secure. 

Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. We genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to enhance your experience.

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING LOCKER ROOMS AND POOL

LOCKER ROOMS CLOSED THROUGH WEDNESDAY
We regret to inform you that the locker rooms will NOT be available Monday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 10. This is due to the work being done by our crews to complete and have the necessary inspections of the new male and female locker rooms and the ongoing demolition of the family locker room.

POOL REOPENING AND ACCESS
The pool will reopen on a limited basis beginning Monday, April 8, for lap swim, swim team and swim lessons. Water exercise classes are canceled Monday through Wednesday next week. We request everyone come prepared to swim as there will be no changing space available. 

Until locker rooms open, all access to the pool will need to be through the outdoor walkway on the south side of the building adjacent to the preschool. Please close the gates when entering and exiting to keep our playground area and walkway secure. 

We apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We are committed to providing you with the best experience possible and look forward to welcoming you into our newly renovated locker rooms soon. 

The partitions for the showers, restrooms, and changing rooms have been shipped and are expected to arrive this week. We anticipate they will be installed by the end of this week or the middle of next week at the latest. Once the installation is complete, all we need is the occupancy permit from the Village of Glen Ellyn, and we hope to be able to open the new locker rooms by April 8. We will send out a special announcement with finalized details next week.

On Thursday, March 21, the largest HVAC unit will be placed on the roof, and as a result, we will have to close the facility, with the exception of the Preschool, from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m.

The pool and family locker room will be closed from Monday, March 25, through April 7 while construction takes place on the vending area to transform it into the new pool viewing lobby. 

Save the date for our Annual Meeting and Champions Dinner on Monday, May 20. Ticket and sponsorship information will be available soon.

Construction on the new pool viewing lobby will begin on March 25 and will continue through April 7. Please note: During this time, the pool and family locker room will be closed.

We were recently notified that the partitions for the bathroom, shower, and changing stalls are delayed. As a result, the locker rooms will not be opened at the end of February as we had expected. We apologize for the delay and will keep you posted as we know more.

The pool and family locker room will be closed on Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19 from, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The gymnasium will now remain closed through the month of January. 

The locker room completion date has been pushed back to the end of February.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The pool and family locker room will be closed on Monday, January 8, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The gymnasium will now remain closed through the month of January. 

The locker room completion date has been pushed back to the end of February.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The pool and family locker room will be closed on Monday, January 8 from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The gymnasium will now remain closed through the month of January. Updates regarding reopening will be posted as soon as available. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The gymnasium will now remain closed through the month of January. Updates regarding reopening will be posted as soon as available. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The gymnasium will remain closed through the month of December. Updates regarding reopening will be posted as soon as available. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The gymnasium will remain closed until further notice. Updates regarding reopening will be posted as soon as available. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. 

The gym will be closed November 20 through December 1.

The pool will be closed beginning Thursday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 4. The pool will reopen for regular hours on Sunday, Nov. 5.

The family locker room will be closed on Friday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

We’re excited to share that our new Y Training Center facility has received its occupancy permit and some of our group exercise classes will now be held there. Click here to view the group exercise schedule.

The group exercise room will be closed beginning Wednesday, October 11. Please view the updated class schedule for class and location changes. 

The gym will be closed Wednesday, October 11, through Friday, October 13. 

The gym will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 14 for group exercise classes. 

Kids Campus will be closed on Monday, October 9.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

The Women’s Locker Room will be closed beginning Friday, September 29.

Please note: The Family Locker Room will remain open for pool access. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

Please note: The following areas are now closed or will have limited accessibility. 

  • The stairwell connecting the women’s locker room to the pool will be closed beginning Thursday, September 28.
  • Kids Campus is operating under new hours and is located in the upstairs Kindergarten room.
  • The Gaming Room is closed.

  • The racquetball courts are closed.
  • The Men’s, Boys and Girls Locker Rooms are closed. The Family Locker Room will remain open for pool access. The Women’s Locker Room will remain open until demolition begins on the main floor (date TBD).
  • The elevator will not be accessible Mondays through Fridays from 1-3 p.m.
  • The track will be closed on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. for swim team dryland training.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

Please note: The following areas are now closed or will have limited accessibility. 

  • The racquetball courts are closed.
  • The Men’s, Boys and Girls Locker Rooms are closed. The Family Locker Room will remain open for pool access. The Women’s Locker Room will remain open until demolition begins on the main floor (date TBD).
  • The elevator will not be accessible Mondays through Fridays from 1-3 p.m.
  • The track will be closed on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. for swim team dryland training.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

Please note: The following areas will be impacted by renovations effective Monday, September 18.

  • The racquetball courts will be closed.
  • The Men’s, Boys and Girls Locker Rooms will be closed. The Family Locker Room will remain open for pool access. The Women’s Locker Room will remain open until demolition begins on the main floor (date TBD).
  • The elevator will not be accessible Mondays through Fridays from 1-3 p.m.
  • The track will be closed Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. for swim team dryland training.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding.

The Wellness Center and Free Weight Room will be closed on Thursday, September 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to move equipment in preparation for renovations. The track will remain open.

Summer Spruce Up: Please note that the pools will be closed for annual maintenance and cleaning from Sunday, August 13, through Monday, September 4.

The pools will reopen on Tuesday, September 5.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The hallway construction project is complete, and the racquetball courts are now open!

The Y is currently still working through the permit approval process with the Village of Glen Ellyn; therefore, the start of our project will be delayed, and no major construction work will begin in July.

Later this month, we will be preparing areas of the building for upcoming demolition work. Please note the following areas that will be impacted.

– July 17-23: The hallway from just past the Women’s Locker Room back to the Group Exercise Room door will be closed. The Group Exercise Room will remain accessible by going through the racquetball hallway to the gym hallway. The gym and group exercise room will be closed between the hours of 2-4 p.m. daily.

– July 24-30: The racquetball hallway and the racquetball courts will be closed. The following classes will be canceled, Tai Chi for Balance (M) from 10:30-11:15 a.m. and Just Balance (W/F)  from 10:30-11:15 a.m.

At this time, we expect the pools to remain open until August 12. The pool will then be closed through Labor Day for our regularly scheduled annual maintenance, with a scheduled reopening on September 5.

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this process. Please check back for updates.

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Exciting news! The B.R. Ryall YMCA will undergo an extensive $12 million renovation project. This project will transform our existing Y into a vibrant facility with flexible program spaces to address community needs—enabling the Y to expand its impact now and in the future. 

The project will repurpose 10,000 square feet of unutilized and underutilized space to create more adaptable program areas, increase ADA accessibility, upgrade mechanical and HVAC system efficiency, and put the Y in a position of success for the next 20+ years. By repurposing spaces within the existing building, the Y will create a state-of-the-art facility at one-third the cost of a newly constructed facility.

In preparation for the renovation, the Y purchased the building next door at 26 Newton as a temporary program space. Following the completion of the renovation, the space will be used for wellness programming. 

The Vision

For over a century, the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County has been dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and emotional health of community members of all ages. We work to strengthen families, support children’s potential, keep seniors active and engaged, collaborate with other organizations, and promote self-care and community involvement.

However, our current facility was designed for past generations and limits our ability to address the current and future needs of our community. To continue fulfilling our mission, we require more flexible space and partnerships to realize our vision for a better future for children, adults, seniors, and families in our area.

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What does the project include:

  • Three new Wellness Studios
  • Two levels of expanded Wellness Center space
  • New Teen Center, which will include 2 multipurpose programs rooms and a kitchen
  • New and enlarged Kids Campus area
  • Intergenerational room/lounge for teens and seniors
  • New dividable multipurpose room for meetings and programs
  • Several gathering areas/lounges for socialization
  • Bathrooms in the rear of the facility
  • Pool viewing lounge
  • Widened main hallway with sightlines into program areas
  • Updated locker rooms, all on the lower level, offering improved ADA accessibility, private changing areas and shower stalls, and the addition of a new steam room and sauna for women
  • Secured access to the preschool wing
  • Addition of flexible Wellness space at 26 Newton

The Y’s Board of Directors and staff have taken necessary steps to ensure a successful capital campaign by already securing $10 million of the $12 million needed for the project, including a $2 million Federal grant thanks to Congressman Sean Casten and an anonymous $5 million donation. The Y is asking for community support to raise the last $2 million in funding.

As plans become final, we will update you on progress and impacted areas through email and our website.

Identified Priorities

Through one-on-one interviews with community stakeholders, a market study, focus groups, and surveys, the Y identified five community priorities. The feedback shared, coupled with space and layout constraints realized during COVID, reinforces the need for welcoming spaces for community members. In addition, spaces must be multifunctional and adaptable for program use.

  • Safe Spaces for Teens/Teen Mental Health
  • Affordable Quality Child Care
  • A Welcoming Place for ALL in our Community
  • Senior Health and Well-Being
  • Community Health

Interested in supporting this project?

If you wish to learn more about opportunities to contribute to this exciting project and the future of the B.R. Ryall YMCA, please get in touch with Rob Wilkinson, CEO, at [email protected]

Every size and type of donation counts! Help your community by donating today!

YMCA Facility Renovation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The project will transform the existing Y into a vibrant facility with flexible program spaces to address community needs, so the Y can expand its impact now and in the future.

Through one-on-one interviews with community stakeholders, a market study, focus groups, and surveys, the Y identified five community priorities: Safe Spaces for Teens/Teen Mental Health, Affordable Quality Child Care, A Welcoming Place for ALL in our Community, Senior Health and Well-Being, and Community Health. The feedback shared, coupled with space and layout constraints realized during COVID, reinforces the need for welcoming spaces for community members. In addition, spaces must be multifunctional and adaptable for program use.

We are upgrading and modifying our facility to improve the experiences of our members and participants. The changes will create a welcoming environment for everyone, with more program spaces that can adapt to the changing needs of our community. We currently have only one multipurpose room; more than 10 adaptable spaces will be available after construction.

The project will repurpose 10,000 square feet of unutilized and underutilized space to create more adaptable program areas. This renovation project will include:

– Three new Wellness Studios

– Two levels of expanded Wellness Center space

– New teen center, which will include 2 multipurpose program rooms and a kitchen

– New and enlarged Kids Campus area

– Intergenerational room/lounge for teens and seniors

– New dividable multipurpose room for meetings and programs

– Several gathering areas/lounges for socialization

– Bathrooms in the rear of the facility

– Pool viewing lounge

– Widened main hallway with sightlines into program areas

– Updated locker rooms, all on the lower level, offering improved ADA accessibility, private changing areas and shower stalls, and the addition of a new steam room and sauna for women

– Secured access to the preschool wing

– Addition of flexible Wellness space at 26 Newton

Update as of July 5:
The Y is currently still working through the permit approval process with the Village of Glen Ellyn; therefore, the start of our project will be delayed, and no major construction work will begin in July.

The renovations will be completed in phases to minimize the impact on members. 

Phase 1 (Locker Rooms): Construction is set to begin in July 2023 and is expected to conclude in November 2023.

Phase 2: (Elevator to Gym): Construction is set to begin in July 2023 and is expected to conclude in February 2024.

Absolutely! The Wellness Center will remain operational. Group exercise classes will continue, but will be held outdoors or next door in the 26 Newton building. We are still exploring options regarding use of the gym and Kids Campus, and will provide updates as available.

We anticipate that the project will begin in July, pending Village approvals and permitting. The Y will inform members about progress and area closures through email and our website.

During the construction, we aim to maintain all programming. If certain areas need to be closed, we will strive to minimize the impact by relocating or temporarily adjusting programming.

One racquetball court is being kept. By repurposing three racquetball courts, we can create two levels of program space that include a small, a medium, and a large studio. These new versatile areas can be used for group exercise classes, chronic disease programs, and youth programming.

We are able to expand three existing racquetball courts, which equate to 2,400 sq. ft. to 4,800 sq. ft. of flexible program space to meet the current Wellness needs.

Relocating the locker rooms to the lower level will enhance ADA accessibility and privacy, while ensuring that both locker rooms are equipped with steam rooms and saunas. In addition to a mens/boys and womens/girls locker room, the universal/family locker room will be maintained but renovated with new tile.

We have worked to minimize the impact on the pool. The pool will be closed from the end of July through Labor Day, while the demolition of the lower-level locker rooms takes place. July swim lessons will run as scheduled, and we will complete our Swim Team 2023 long-course season before locker room construction begins. The pool will reopen the Tuesday after Labor Day. 

The YMCA’s Board of Directors and staff have taken necessary steps to ensure a successful start to the $12 capital campaign by raising $10 million of the $12 million, which included securing a $2 million Federal grant thanks to Congressman Sean Casten, and an anonymous $5 million donation. The Y is asking for community support to reach the last $2 million in funding.

How can I help?

Stay Informed: Ensure your current email address is on file with the Y to receive regular news and updates. You can also visit www.brryallymca.org for more information. 

Make a gift. All members are welcome to contribute to the B.R. Ryall YMCA’s capital campaign. If you wish to learn more about opportunities to contribute to this exciting project and the future of the B.R. Ryall YMCA, please get in touch with Rob Wilkinson, CEO, at [email protected] or Kelly Coffey, COO, at [email protected].


We have worked to minimize any impact on our childcare programs, including Bright Beginnings, Kindergarten Round-Up, Safe ‘n Sound and Summer Camp. Participating families will be informed well in advance if and when there will be any impacts on these programs; however, all child care programs will continue to run for the duration of the project.

We will update our members on any progress and temporary changes through email and our website.