The YMCA is hours away from the end of its 33-year run in the Athenaeum Building, but the historic downtown gym isn’t going anywhere for long.
The Athenaeum Foundation announced Thursday that it will take over the three-story fitness center at 401 E. Michigan St. — which the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has occupied since 1992 — with plans to reopen the space May 1 as the Athenaeum Turner Gymnasium.
The news comes two months after the YMCA announced it would close the Athenaeum branch March 28.
Per the Athenaeum’s website, the new gym will “feature a full assortment of cardio, strength, and weight training equipment.” The website does not specify what equipment the new gym will retain or add from the YMCA or whether any YMCA employees would join its staff.
Memberships for adults at Turner Gymnasium will cost $45 per month, then an additional $30 for adults in the same household. Senior (65+) memberships will cost $40. Members can also purchase access to the Block 20 parking garage at 423 E. Michigan St. for an extra $20 per month.
You can sign up for a membership on the Athenaeum’s website or at https://bit.ly/3QMZRzU.
The name Turner Gymnasium pays homage to the Athenaeum’s early days as a German social club and turnverein, or gymnastics club. “Turner” is the German word for gymnast.
YMCA members of the YMCA at the Athenaeum are well-acquainted with the black and white photos adorning the fitness center’s walls, depicting scenes of young men and women in the early 1900s performing gymnastic exercises inside the historic building.
The YMCA’s last day in the Athenaeum is Friday. A spokesperson for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis in January said the organization hopes to transfer as many staff members as possible to nearby locations. The YMCA has encouraged Athenaeum gymgoers to visit the Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay (430 S. Alabama St.), the lone remaining YMCA branch downtown.
Tonight, the Athenaeum branch will hold an evening of reflection from 5-8 p.m. for members to share memories and say good-bye to the gym — though, for some, that good-bye may be more of a “see you soon.”
(This story was updated to add a photo gallery)
Contact IndyStar reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@indystar.com. You can follow him on Twitter/X @BradleyHohulin.
