When Senator William B. McKinley passed away in 1927, he left a generous sum to start a YMCA for Champaign-Urbana. By the time the will was probated in 1929, the depression hit and plans for the new YMCA were postponed until 1937.
The Philippe mansion at 500 West Church was purchased and a fundraiser organized. The campaign chairman was A.H. Lauchner. Seely Johnston, owner of Johnston's Sporting Goods, was one of the original campaign committee members. The committee raised $38,448, which was enough money to build a pool, gym, and locker rooms. In 1938, the YMCA opened with Elmer Hill as the first director.
The budget for 1938 was set at $17,701 and the first programs included two Hi Y Clubs, a basketball league and Friendly Indians. During the war, the Y hosted USO dances in conjunction with Chanute Air Force Base, and was the place to find male role models while Champaign-Urbana fathers were overseas. At this time, the Starlight Room on the third floor was a big hit with area teens.
Growth continued, and with the Girl Scouts located in the Carriage House, Thompson Hall was added in 1950, thanks to a $10,000 gift by McPherson Thompson. As far back as the late 1950's, the estimated attendance at the YMCA was over 100,000. The Y was having an impact on large numbers of children and families.
One area of growth in the early 1960's was gymnastics. The program became so strong our YMCA sent five girls to the Olympics in the late 60's and early 70's. While the 1970's and 80's were times of economic struggles, the YMCA was still a mainstay for strong role models and values. Youth sports grew, as did summer day camp. The aquatics program surged ahead with the addition of the large pool in 1981, and by the late 80's, Indian Guides and Princesses, previously known as Friendly Indians, had grown to be the largest single program the Y offered.
The 1990's saw the Y emerge stronger financially. Programs were busting at the seams, as evidenced by the new gymnastics program, youth sports, summer day camps, and after school programs. Proclaiming a new name, the Champaign County YMCA, which more accurately reflected the area served, the Y is in a position to continue to grow to meet important needs of the whole county. Focusing programming on four values; honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility, today the Y is poised to help strengthen families and help youngsters grow up to be people with character who will be a positive force for the future.
To learn more about the YMCA movement, read the History of the YMCA.
