On March 8, Muncie marked a new chapter in its 150-year YMCA legacy.
The city’s state-of-the-art YMCA, a 73,000-square-foot facility designed by Elevatus Architecture and built by Weigand Construction, officially opened. More than just a gym, this transformational facility integrates fitness, education, and healthcare, creating a vital resource for the community.
The facility’s heart is a multi-purpose aquatics center featuring an eight-lane competition pool and diving well, offering top-tier training opportunities for students from neighboring Muncie Central High School and YMCA members.
The ground level features a full-size gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, specialized spaces for hands-on cooking and nutrition programs, and a childcare center serving infants to school-age children.
In partnership with Open Door Health Services, the YMCA also houses a full-service, Federally Qualified Health Center offering primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and dental services, expected to serve over 10,000 patients annually. Upstairs, a walking track surrounds the gym, alongside spacious fitness rooms and diverse cardio and weight training equipment, promoting endurance and variety in workouts.
Years in the Making
Eight years ago, the vision for this YMCA took shape with a clear goal: consolidate existing Y facilities, expand outreach, and create a hub for connection, health, and education. Mark Hartman, CEO of First Merchant Bank and campaign co-chair, led the effort to bring this dream to life.
“We envisioned a facility that would not just serve as a gym, but as a true pillar of support for the entire community,” Hartman reflected during the grand opening. “Today, that vision stands before us.”
Bringing this vision to reality was not without its challenges. Initially planned as a $30 million project, rising costs and a commitment to excellence led to a record-breaking $40 million fundraising campaign, the largest in Delaware County history. Generous contributions came from IU Health, the Ball Brothers Foundation, and numerous local donors, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.
More Than Just a Building
At its core, the new YMCA is a model of collaboration. Partnerships with Muncie Community Schools, IU Health, Open Door Health Services, and local workforce development organizations ensure its impact reaches beyond its walls.
The aquatics center will benefit high school students through competitive swimming and warm-water therapy programs. TeenWorks and the Muncie Area Career Center will utilize the space for workforce training, helping young adults develop skills for their futures.
Chad Zaucha, President and CEO of the Muncie YMCA, emphasized the facility’s broader purpose. “This isn’t just a gym,” he says. “This is a place where families grow stronger, individuals find the support they need, and the community thrives.”
A Lasting Impact
Dr. Jeff Bird, President of IU Health East Central Region, says the facility is a transformative force for Muncie’s health and wellness landscape.
“I believe we will see measurable improvements in the health outcomes of East Central Indiana,” he says. “It’s been an honor to partner with an organization so deeply rooted in this community.”
For Bird, this project holds personal significance. As a lifelong YMCA supporter, he recalls the organization’s influence on his youth—his summers at Camp Crosley YMCA in North Webster, and the sense of community and belonging he experienced there.
Keith O’Neal, Vice President of Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees and Lead Pastor at Destiny Christian Center sees the opening as a symbol of hope beyond its physical presence. “This is a dream realized,” O’Neal says. “It will serve our community, improve health outcomes, and stand as a beacon for years to come.”
