The City of Tuscaloosa held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the new Benjamin Barnes YMCA on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Councilor Raevan Howard, Tuscaloosa YMCA CEO Jeff Knox, and Benjamin Barnes YMCA Executive Director LaKeda Smith spoke during the ceremony.
“The City only makes investments like the one we made in the Benjamin Barnes YMCA if we believe someone is going to do something remarkable,” Mayor Walt Maddox said. “We believe in our YMCA, its mission, and its impact on the young people of this community. With this magnificent facility and the outstanding team at the YMCA, we can surround and support our young people, ensuring we instill in them the power of hope.”
An Elevate Tuscaloosa Project, the new Benjamin Barnes YMCA facility will bring enhanced resources to families in the community including fitness, athletics, year-round childcare, and educational programming.
“This new facility for our youth has been a priority for the City since before I joined the City Council,” Councilor Raevan Howard said. “Thank you to Mayor Maddox, City leadership, and City staff for doing everything necessary to make this possible. It has taken a great deal of hard work and dedication to reach this point, and it’s all for the youth here—to ensure they can grow up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.”
The new facility is located at 3011 Martin Luther King Blvd in Tuscaloosa.
“Today is a day that we get to celebrate – not just what’s new, but a continuation of a legacy that started in 1953, when a group of visionary leaders decided our community needed a YMCA.” Jeff Knox, CEO of YMCA Tuscaloosa said. “The Benjamin Barnes YMCA will continue their legacy today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
The Benjamin Barnes YMCA will offer complimentary amenities, programs and services to nearby facilities.
“Despite the infrastructure challenges of our old facility, the Benjamin Barnes YMCA continued to support the children of this community through academic programs, youth sports, and community activities,” LaKeda Smith, Executive Director of the Benjamin Barnes YMCA said. “This new facility is a testament to everyone who believes in the mission of the Benjamin Barnes YMCA as we invest in the next generation of leaders. Thank you for believing in us.”
Learn more about the Benjamin Barnes YMCA here.