Monday is the grand reopening for the Linwood YMCA. Changes and updates have been in progress over the past 18 months.
Greeters yelled out, "Welcome home to Linwood," as they opened the door to community members. The YMCA has been in the area since at least 1919.
The Y at 3800 E Linwood was built in 1975. Its updates feature an indoor/outdoor swimming pool with a retractable glass ceiling and doors. It's the only one in KC with that feature. It has an expanded health and wellness center where people can improve their cardiovascular and strength training. There is a teaching kitchen for cooking classes in community room for people of all ages. Also new, are several multipurpose studios for group fitness, yoga and other activities.
Director Stephenie Smith said they asked the community what they wanted before building.
"That is where we got the ball rolling. What are the key pieces? The community says we want a nice space for to learn healthy eating skills.. and boom we gave them a kitchen," said Smith.
All of these renovations cost about $10.5 million. It's now named the Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr., Community Center, in honor of a major donor.
Other top donors include Hall Family Foundation; The Kirk Foundation Trust; Mabee Foundation, Inc.; Ina Calkins Trust Fund, Bank of America, trustee; and JE Dunn Construction Company. The project also has received support from the City of Kansas City, Mo.
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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.
