Renovations are now complete at the Southwest YMCA!
RISE TOGETHER
SOUTHWEST YMCA RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE
You’re invited! Join us for a community celebration showcasing the renovations at the Southwest
YMCA. Thanks to generous support from a community project funding grant awarded
by the Office of Congresswoman Diana DeGette and the El Pomar Foundation, our YMCA has been
transformed to better serve families.
RENOVATIONS INCLUDE:
- Welcoming, ADA-compliant entrance & reception hub
- Teaching kitchen for cooking & nutrition classes
- Dedicated space for Beyond Hunger food pantry distribution
- Updated fitness equipment, fresh flooring, LED gym lighting, upgraded locker rooms
EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 4:30-5:30 PM
- Tours
- Ribbon cutting with Congresswoman Diana DeGette & El Pomar Foundation
- Light refreshments
WHERE: 5181 Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236
We're excited to share some great news about our Southwest YMCA! We'll soon begin important renovations to make the Southwest Y even better — including upgrades to the kitchen and front desk areas.
How were these renovations being funded?
The funds came from an Economic Development Initiative/Community Project Funding grant awarded by the office of Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette. We received official approval of grant funding in July of 2025.
How do these renovations improve the Southwest Y?
This remodel is all about enhancing the member's and participant's experience at the Southwest Y and expanding how we serve our community. Here's what you can look forward to:
- A more welcoming entrance with a modern design and inclusive, ADA-compliant space to improve accessibility for all
- A new teaching kitchen for cooking classes, nutrition education and cultural exchange workshops
- More room to grow — expanding food distribution and nutrition programs for local children and families
Stay tuned to your email and YMCA mobile app notifications for updates — don't forget to download the app and turn alerts on!
Read more FAQs about this project below.
We are so grateful for the patience and support of our members, participants and community — these improvements were about creating a better experience for you and our community.
Read our news and member communications:
2025-10-15 Exciting News - Upcoming Renovations at the Southwest YMCA
2025-11-12 Major Investment Underway at the Southwest YMCA
2025-11-29 Renovations Ahead & Brief Facility Closure
2025-12-11 Re-opening Details & Leadership Change
2026-01-08 Southwest YMCA Temporary Closure
2026-01-15 Southwest YMCA Re-Opens January 17
2026-03-04 Southwest YMCA Renovation Complete
Community Project Funding
With appreciation to the Office of Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Community Project Funding grants and the U.S. House of Representatives for their support of HUD funding.
El Pomar Foundation
We’d like to thank El Pomar Foundation for the generous grant funding they've awarded us!
Before:
Proposed:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: SOUTHWEST Y RENOVATION
Our Y received a federal grant to fund a kitchen and front desk renovation project at the Southwest YMCA. This remodel project will help to expand our health and well-being outreach and programming.
New Kitchen
A brand-new, fully equipped teaching kitchen is coming to the space where offices once stood! The 415-square-foot kitchen will feature an electric stove, double sinks, a dishwasher, refrigerator and a spacious gathering island — perfect for hands-on learning and community programs.
New Front Desk
The front desk will be relocated slightly to sit in front of the pool windows, with a fresh new design focused on modern style and improved accessibility for all. The re-positioning of the front desk allows for site line access to the entry way, ECE access, Beyond Hunger access, and kitchen access flow.
Beyond Hunger Space
The new home of Beyond Hunger will allow for ease of access and flow during operating hours. The space will allow for appliance and storage access.
New Staff Space
With these new configurations, we still want staff to have access to a meeting space. The conference table will be relocated, and staff cubicles will be brought in to maintain the focus of work and comradery.
Early/Mid September: Pre-construction work, including necessary facility testing
Late September: Work permit application submitted
October: Communication of renovation plans to members
Early December: Construction work begins
Phase 1: Front Desk area
Phase 2: Beyond Hunger area
Phase 3: Kitchen and Staff Space
Early 2026: Renovation complete
The Southwest YMCA kitchen has been the cornerstone of our Beyond Hunger program, which since 2020 has distributed thousands of healthy, culturally relevant grocery packages to food-insecure families. However, the current kitchen is outdated, lacks adequate space, and is not equipped to support expanded community programming.
These renovations will allow our Y to:
Introduce a teaching kitchen model offering hands-on cooking classes, nutrition education and cultural exchange workshops.
Create an inclusive, ADA-compliant space for youth, adults and older adults.
Increase storage and prep capacity to expand food distribution and nutrition education for children and families.
Strengthen partnerships with Denver Public Schools, local food banks, refugee service providers and other community stakeholders.
The funds come from an Economic Development Initiative/Community Project Funding grant awarded by the office of Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette. The YMCA of Metro Denver applied for the grant in 2023 and received award notification in 2024 and official approval in July 2025. We’ve been working since then to thoughtfully plan and prepare for its use.
The kitchen space will be used for cooking classes, nutrition education and cultural exchange workshops.
Operation of Beyond Hunger may be modified but will not cease operation during construction.
We are working with IT to complete internet and phone relocation prior to construction start. We will share details on any member scan-in procedures with staff and members before construction starts.
The first and second phases of construction may impact Y Academy. If that is the case, we will ask families to access through the exterior gate and enter through the back side of the ECE space.
Anyone! It will be open and available for member events, nutrition classes, health and well-being programs, coffee chats and member gatherings.