We invite you to help us explore an exciting new chapter for our community. We recently shared the exact location of this new facility — on the north side of Truesdell Avenue, adjacent to Fox Memorial Park between Scharf Field and the Chessie Trail, almost directly across from the Banks Apartment Complex — and we are thrilled about what this means for our local families. We are seeking community input as we consider the future of programs and facilities in La Porte.
This transformative project represents a major step forward in our shared commitment to creating a healthier, stronger La Porte County. We want to build a space that is safe, welcoming, and accessible for all families. To achieve this, we need to hear from you directly.
By taking our brief community survey, you will directly influence the YMCA’s future. Your feedback helps us understand exactly what you want to see, including:
Activities and spaces that serve residents of all ages.
Facilities, programs and services that are affordable for anyone who can benefit from our services.
Practical resources to help everyone in our community grow stronger in spirit, mind, and body.
Transformational work only happens when a community aligns around a shared vision for its future. We are seeking input from members of La Porte County to ensure that our initiatives and programs meet your needs and reflect your values.
Thank you for your time, your honest feedback, and your ongoing dedication to making La Porte County a great place to call home. Together, we will create a future that truly serves as the center of our community.
The La Porte County Family YMCA is leading a forward-looking strategy to create spaces that bring people together, strengthen community well-being, and support families across La Porte County.
Guided by local input and a clear understanding of long-term needs, the YMCA is pursuing new facility and program opportunities to make health and wellness resources more accessible to everyone. The use of market research and community feedback will help ensure each step stays connected to what matters most to local families.
Together with its partners, the YMCA is building on this work through new opportunities to serve both the City of La Porte and Michigan City. The focus is on addressing local needs, improving access, and strengthening connections across the county.
The YMCA’s goal is to make sure its facilities, programs, and services continue to meet the needs of children, families, adults, and older adults across La Porte County.
This work is focused on:
• Improving access to health and wellness resources
• Creating welcoming spaces for families and community connection
• Supporting long-term sustainability
• Responding to local needs through careful planning and community input
Community input remains an important part of the planning process. Residents can continue to share feedback through:
Surveys: https://lpymca.org/community-survey/
The community can stay informed by visiting https://lpymca.org for updates.
The YMCA and its partners, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) and the City of La Porte, are developing a new branch adjacent to Fox Memorial Park. This project reflects a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources, long-term sustainability, and careful planning to ensure the YMCA can continue to meet community needs and support families well into the future.
The new branch is being planned as a community resource that supports health, wellness, and connection for individuals and families.
The La Porte branch is intended to:
Support physical activity, social connection, and mental well-being
Provide a gathering space for individuals and families
Reflect community needs and priorities
Contribute to a healthier La Porte County
Support long-term sustainability and community impact
The project was originally announced in March of 2025 and is currently estimated to take about three years to complete, in mid-2028. The timeline will continue to be reviewed and adjusted as planning moves forward.
La Porte County Family YMCA, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), and The City of La Porte are working together to ensure the project meets the community’s needs and aligns with their shared vision for a healthier La Porte.
After evaluating potential locations, the selected site was chosen based on community needs and the project’s overall goals.
The proposed site is on the north side of Truesdell Avenue, adjacent to Fox Memorial Park between Scharf Field and the Chessie Trail, almost directly across from the Banks Apartment Complex.
The new Center will integrate seamlessly with Fox Memorial Park and nearby trails, creating a connected and accessible hub that advances health equity and strengthens community well-being for residents of all ages.
Many Indiana communities have cleaned up past manufacturing-related sites to allow for new projects like this to occur. The City of La Porte has been actively working on and planning for development of this property for several years. The project partners are coordinating with the State of Indiana to ensure proper clean-up before construction begins for safe reuse of the property.
While the new branch is under development, the YMCA will continue to provide programs and services for the community and will thoughtfully evaluate the current La Porte YMCA building (901 Michigan Avenue) to ensure responsible stewardship of resources, long-term sustainability, and a safe, high-quality experience for members. This planning process is focused on supporting the community and the YMCA’s mission for years to come.
Specific amenities for the new La Porte YMCA Branch are still being determined as planning continues. Current plans include traditional YMCA programming, including youth programs and programs that promote well-being, personal growth, and fitness for people of all ages and health levels in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Amenities will be evaluated and updated as plans develop. Planned amenities include a wellness area, pool, and gymnasium, all designed to serve individuals and families.
The YMCA plans on collaborating with community partners on new offerings.
Community feedback is an important part of that process, and we want to hear what matters most to local residents and families.
Please take a few minutes to share your input through the community survey: https://lpymca.org/community-survey/
In Michigan City, YMCA leadership is evaluating opportunities to relocate the current branch.
The current Michigan City Y facility (Elston, 1202 Spring Street) has served as an important center for YMCA programs and community impact for many years. As the needs of members, families, staff, and the broader community continue to change, the YMCA is considering whether the current facility can continue to meet those needs in a sustainable, accessible, and cost-effective way.
Any potential investments or changes will be guided by the YMCA’s commitment to preserving the YMCA’s long-term service in Michigan City while maintaining the organization’s financial sustainability.
The YMCA’s review is centered on several practical questions, including whether the current facility can continue to support:
Community access and partnerships
Sustainable operations
Cost-effective service delivery
Long-term mission impact in Michigan City
Any future decision will be made with those priorities in mind.
The YMCA is launching a capital campaign effort that allows individual and organizational donors to invest in the projects. The YMCA Board of Directors is actively working toward a specific fundraising goal and the scale of impact that will result.
The City of La Porte has received a letter of pre-commitment from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for a READI 2.0 (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) grant anticipated to support development of the new La Porte YMCA location.
The project is still in the early planning stages, so the final scope and total cost have not yet been determined.
The facility will be operated by the La Porte County YMCA. Ongoing operating costs will be supported through:
Membership dues
Program fees
Other earned revenue
This approach is intended to support long-term sustainability while keeping the facility accessible to the community.
The new La Porte YMCA Branch is meant to expand access to wellness, youth programs, connection and support for the whole community.
The La Porte County Family YMCA offers financial assistance to help individuals and families participate, regardless of their ability to pay the full rate. Anyone with cost concerns is encouraged to reach out to the Y directly so we can walk through available options or visit https://lpymca.org/financial-assistance/.
The La Porte County Family YMCA determines scholarship amounts in a fair, consistent manner.
YMCA members and program participants can feel confident knowing that they are part of an organization that cares greatly for the well-being of all people and is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To learn more, visit https://lpymca.org/financial-assistance/.
The La Porte County Family YMCA is leading a forward-looking strategy to create spaces that bring people together, strengthen community well-being, and support families across La Porte County.
Guided by local input and a clear understanding of long-term needs, the YMCA is pursuing new facility and program opportunities to make health and wellness resources more accessible to everyone. The use of market research and community feedback will help ensure each step stays connected to what matters most to local families.
Together with its partners, the YMCA is building on this work through new opportunities to serve both the City of La Porte and Michigan City. The focus is on addressing local needs, improving access, and strengthening connections across the county.
The YMCA’s goal is to make sure its facilities, programs, and services continue to meet the needs of children, families, adults, and older adults across La Porte County.
This work is focused on:
• Improving access to health and wellness resources
• Creating welcoming spaces for families and community connection
• Supporting long-term sustainability
• Responding to local needs through careful planning and community input
Community input remains an important part of the planning process. Residents can continue to share feedback through:
Surveys: https://lpymca.org/community-survey/
The community can stay informed by visiting https://lpymca.org for updates.
The YMCA and its partners, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) and the City of La Porte, are developing a new branch adjacent to Fox Memorial Park. This project reflects a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources, long-term sustainability, and careful planning to ensure the YMCA can continue to meet community needs and support families well into the future.
The new branch is being planned as a community resource that supports health, wellness, and connection for individuals and families.
The La Porte branch is intended to:
Support physical activity, social connection, and mental well-being
Provide a gathering space for individuals and families
Reflect community needs and priorities
Contribute to a healthier La Porte County
Support long-term sustainability and community impact
The project was originally announced in March of 2025 and is currently estimated to take about three years to complete, in mid-2028. The timeline will continue to be reviewed and adjusted as planning moves forward.
La Porte County Family YMCA, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), and The City of La Porte are working together to ensure the project meets the community’s needs and aligns with their shared vision for a healthier La Porte.
After evaluating potential locations, the selected site was chosen based on community needs and the project’s overall goals.
The proposed site is on the north side of Truesdell Avenue, adjacent to Fox Memorial Park between Scharf Field and the Chessie Trail, almost directly across from the Banks Apartment Complex.
The new Center will integrate seamlessly with Fox Memorial Park and nearby trails, creating a connected and accessible hub that advances health equity and strengthens community well-being for residents of all ages.
While the new branch is under development, the YMCA will continue to provide programs and services for the community and will thoughtfully evaluate the current La Porte YMCA building (901 Michigan Avenue) to ensure responsible stewardship of resources, long-term sustainability, and a safe, high-quality experience for members. This planning process is focused on supporting the community and the YMCA’s mission for years to come.
Specific amenities for the new La Porte YMCA Branch are still being determined as planning continues. Current plans include traditional YMCA programming, including youth programs and programs that promote well-being, personal growth, and fitness for people of all ages and health levels in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Amenities will be evaluated and updated as plans develop. Planned amenities include a wellness area, pool, and gymnasium, all designed to serve individuals and families.
The YMCA plans on collaborating with community partners on new offerings.
Community feedback is an important part of that process, and we want to hear what matters most to local residents and families.
Please take a few minutes to share your input through the community survey: https://lpymca.org/community-survey/
The YMCA is launching a capital campaign effort that allows individual and organizational donors to invest in the projects. The YMCA Board of Directors is actively working toward a specific fundraising goal and the scale of impact that will result.
The City of La Porte has received a letter of pre-commitment from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for a READI 2.0 (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) grant anticipated to support development of the new La Porte YMCA location.
The project is still in the early planning stages, so the final scope and total cost have not yet been determined.
The facility will be operated by the La Porte County YMCA. Ongoing operating costs will be supported through:
Membership dues
Program fees
Other earned revenue
This approach is intended to support long-term sustainability while keeping the facility accessible to the community.
The new La Porte YMCA Branch is meant to expand access to wellness, youth programs, connection and support for the whole community.
The La Porte County Family YMCA offers financial assistance to help individuals and families participate, regardless of their ability to pay the full rate. Anyone with cost concerns is encouraged to reach out to the Y directly so we can walk through available options or visit https://lpymca.org/financial-assistance/.
The La Porte County Family YMCA determines scholarship amounts in a fair, consistent manner.
YMCA members and program participants can feel confident knowing that they are part of an organization that cares greatly for the well-being of all people and is committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To learn more, visit https://lpymca.org/financial-assistance/.
In Michigan City, YMCA leadership is evaluating opportunities to relocate the current branch.
The current Michigan City Y facility (Elston, 1202 Spring Street) has served as an important center for YMCA programs and community impact for many years. As the needs of members, families, staff, and the broader community continue to change, the YMCA is considering whether the current facility can continue to meet those needs in a sustainable, accessible, and cost-effective way.
Any potential investments or changes will be guided by the YMCA’s commitment to preserving the YMCA’s long-term service in Michigan City while maintaining the organization’s financial sustainability.
The YMCA’s review is centered on several practical questions, including whether the current facility can continue to support:
Community access and partnerships
Sustainable operations
Cost-effective service delivery
Long-term mission impact in Michigan City
Any future decision will be made with those priorities in mind.
Many Indiana communities have cleaned up past manufacturing-related sites to allow for new projects like this to occur. The City of La Porte has been actively working on and planning for development of this property for several years. The project partners are coordinating with the State of Indiana to ensure proper clean-up before construction begins for safe reuse of the property.
