The Southgate Fun and Fitness Center a.k.a. the Downriver Family YMCA branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit was first established in Wyandotte on January 7, 1941 organized by W.F. Newell.
Before we review the location history of this YMCA let’s share how the YMCA has benefitted the residents of the downriver community. Did you know that at our current location the Downriver Family YMCA has provided over one million dollars in scholarships to Downriver residents? Thanks to the generous support of YMCA donors thousands of children and families have had the opportunity to learn to swim, attend summer camps and to access health/wellness resources all year round.
As we celebrate 80 years we are not just celebrating a building we are celebrating downriver residents living healthier lives in partnership with the City of Southgate and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. In honor of our 80 years,we are also offering new members 80% off their first month!
The Downriver YMCA headquarters consisting of an office and committee rooms opened in a house at 2956 Biddle Avenue in Wyandotte. YMCA work expanded rapidly and a permanent location was identified in 1943. The YMCA purchased property at the corner of Chestnut and Biddle streets in Wyandotte. The Downriver YMCA represented the first “family” YMCA branch including boys and girls as well as men and women.
In 1959, the YMCA and YWCA together constructed a new YM-YWCA building on Fort street and Eureka for a cost of $850,000. In 1968 an addition to the building added two pools and the YMCA retained full responsibility for the facility in 1998.In 2002, the YMCA and the City of Southgate conceived of a new facility to expand services to all the communities in the Downriver community. The new facility tripled the amount of kids, families, and seniors served by the Downriver YMCA. The current facility, The Southgate Fun and Fitness Center constructed through the foresight of the citizens of the city of Southgate, opened to the public on May 11, 2003 and has been the home of the Downriver YMCA ever since.