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Our Y Story

Welcome to the Y. We’re an inclusive organization of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility in Southern Nevada. Established locally in 1944, we’re one of the region’s longest-serving and most-respected nonprofit organizations. Like all Ys, ours is governed by a local volunteer board of directors who make decisions based on community needs.

We’re dedicated to meeting the demands of today’s family. From toddlers to grandparents of toddlers, everyone feels at home at the Y. It’s no surprise considering our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are at the heart of everything we do.

Brief Historical Timeline of our Y Story

1944

The YMCA of Southern Nevada opens - first headquartered in a storage room at Society Cleaners on South 11th & Fremont Streets.

1963

The $60,000 YMCA opens at 2nd and Bonanza Streets. This new facility included a gymnasium, four sets of locker rooms, steam room, sound proof punching bag room and a 75 foot long indoor swimming pool.

1978

The Village People release the disco hit, “YMCA.”

1980

The 72,000 square foot Meadows YMCA opens -located across from the Meadows Mall in between Decatur and Valley View Blvds.

1993

The Meadows YMCA is dedicated as the William G Bennet Family YMCA, after the late chairman of Circus, Circus Enterprises, Inc.

2000

The Y enters into a public/private partnership with the City of Las Vegas and opens the Durango Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

2003

The William G Bennet Family YMCA is renamed the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA after the late Bill Heinrich, a long time YMCA supporter, and his wife, Lillie.

2004

The Y received a $3.5 million grant from the City of Las Vegas for a new aquatic center The parking lot of the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA transformed into the ultimate splash zone upon the opening of the outdoor water park.

2006

An $8.6 million Capital Campaign led to the further transformation of the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA. During this time, the facility got new locker rooms, resurfaced tennis courts, a welcome center, a youth center and a 34’ rock climbing wall.

2007

Due to the realization of an impressive collaborative model, the Y enters into another public/private partnership with the City of Las Vegas and opens the Centennial Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

2011

The Y moves north! Thanks to another public/private partnership with the City of North Las Vegas, the SkyView Multi-Generational Center, operated by the YMCA of Southern Nevada, is opened.

2019

The Y develops a $10 million Capital Campaign to create outdoor multipurpose sports fields at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, as well as expand early childhood education programming in the Las Vegas community.

2020

In 2020, the Y closed its facilities for almost 3 months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just because the doors were closed, that did not stop the Y from serving the Las Vegas community. During the closure, the Y was able to distribute 36,029 free meals to combat food insecurity, make 2,581 calls to seniors for wellness checks, serve 90,811 adults and youth through virtual exercise programs and much more. For a full list of how the Y strengthened their role as a critical community lifeline during the pandemic, click here.

2024

Our Early Learning program sets the stage for future success for children ages 3-5 with an evidence-based curriculum that sparks hands-on learning and exploration. In our friendly, safe environment, kids thrive through positive social interactions, problem-solving, and creative play.

TODAY

Lasting personal and social change comes about
when we all work together

That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

YMCA of Southern Nevada