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 Boulevard 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 occupants 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 accommodate our needs adequately,” Jones said.
In fall of 1983, Allegheny County 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 considered to alleviate overpopulation.
Jones expressed hope of finding places of comparable comfort and quality for current YMCA residents. Some occupants have already been moved to the YMCA’s North Side branch, which has a 70 room capacity. Others will be referred to area efficiency apartments, Jones explained.
The new YMCA will contain most of the same health facilities as does the present YMCA building, 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, administrative offices will be housed in the new YMCA. It will also contain program offices, where various programs will be coordinated, Jones explained.
These programs are for youths, young adults and adults and are also provided specifically for families, senior citizens and the handicapped. 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.
