Before it was the Student Center, the building next to the Boulevard Apartments was once a Downtown YMCA. Here is the original article detailing its construction, published Oct. 10, 1985.
The foundation for a new YMCA building has been laid on the Boul evard of the Allies and tentative plans call for its completion by the end of 1986, Julius Jones, YMCA president, said.
Meanwhile, Jones said new homes are being sought for oc cupants of the present Wood Street YMCA. That building is ‘ for sale and the new facility will contain no living facilities.
“The current building is over 60 years old and can no longer accom modate our needs adequately,” Jones said.
In fall of 1983, Allegheny Coun ty expressed interest in buying the building from Oliver Realty to use as an auxiliary jail. The county had been, and is, under court order to reduce the population at its Ross Street jail. Use of the YMCA building was one alternative con sidered to alleviate overpopula tion.
Jones expressed hope of finding places of comparable comfort and quality for current YMCA resi dents. Some occupants have al ready been moved to the YMCA’s North Side branch, which has a 70 room capacity. Others will be re ferred to area efficiency apart ments, Jones explained.
The new YMCA will contain most of the same health facilities as does the present YMCA build ing, including a swimming pool, gymnasium and Nautilus room. In addition, an indoor running track
will be built. The present YMCA has a running area but no actual track. The new gymnasium will also be bigger and better- equipped, Jones said.
Like the present facility, ad ministrative offices will be housed in the new YMCA. It will also con tain program offices, where vari ous programs will be coordinated, Jones explained.
These programs are for youths, young adults and adults and are also provided specifically for fami lies, senior citizens and the handi capped. They comprise health maintenance, physical education, the family structure and help for juvenile delinquents.
“We hope to maintain the same ‘ quality service in the new building as we provided in the old one,” Jones said.
