YMCA Announces Plans To Open Youth & Family Center

The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA will open a new Youth and Family Center in early 2018, the nonprofit announced Tuesday.

The center will feature two multipurpose sports courts that can accommodate basketball, futsal and other court activities, a walking track, a bouldering wall for skill development and climbing exploration, an event space for birthday parties and expanded day camp activities, and a lounge where "youth can play interactive games and adults can connect with each other, have coffee or play games," according to the YMCA. "This center will serve adults, kids and families by providing a large, open space to engage in a plethora of activities, from intramural sports to family play to youth activities and more."

YMCA President and CEO Jay Buckmaster says the organization is "excited about the opportunity to provide this type of space for the community."

“Our goal is to help families, youth, and adults come together in a safe, positive environment and stay active and engaged, even through the harsh winter months in northern Michigan," says Buckmaster.