Lexington High Street YMCA will stay open longer than initially planned
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- YMCA of Central Kentucky will keep High Street facility open through late 2026.
- Board sold downtown property in Oct 2025 and will seek a new location.
- Members will get at least 60 days' notice; programming continues until closure.
The YMCA on High Street in Lexington will remain open a little longer than initially expected, according to an email release from YMCA of Central Kentucky President and CEO Paula Anderson.
The popular facility will now stay open until late 2026. Anderson said a closure date has not been determined, but YMCA members will receive a warning at least 60 days in advance before the facility closes.
In October 2025, The YMCA of Central Kentucky sold the downtown location to Florida-based developer Tramell Webb Partners Inc. for the purpose of building private student housing. At the time, YMCA officials said they would explore the possibility of staying on the property and partner with Tramell Webb, but the board later voted to sell the entire property and find a new location.
The board has also hired Al Isaac, president and founder of NAI Isaac Commercial Properties, as a consultant as it searches for a new downtown location. Anderson did not provide any updates on the search for a new building.
“We continue to have conversations with community partners about the future of the YMCA downtown,” Anderson said in the email release. “Our focus is on finding the right long-term solution rather than a rushed one, and we appreciate your understanding as this work continues.”
Officials originally planned to close the facility in March. Anderson said classes and programming will continue as scheduled until the building closes.
The 60-year-old building has been the main YMCA location for generations. It includes an indoor pool, fitness center, basketball court, walking track and more.
Several nearby blocks in the Maxwell Street-High Street corridor have been demolished already, with more slated to come down for multi-story new apartment buildings. Lexington’s only downtown U.S. Post Service office, the Post Rider Post Office, was sold to Lexington High Street Partnership LP of West Palm Beach, Fla. Oct. 31.
It’s unknown what Lexington High Street Partnership LP will do with the property.
