Brainerd Family YMCA Looking to Build Brand-New Facility

The Brainerd Family YMCA may be sporting a new look in the coming years.

The YMCA has stood tall in the town since the late 1800s and at its current location on Oak Street since 1967. However, as the Y continues taking on more responsibilities, CEO Shane Riffle sees more of a need for a new facility.

“There are just continual emergent needs that I hear,” Riffle said. “And that’s childcare, it’s mental health issues, it’s inactivity and the chronic diseases that result because of that.”

The Brainerd Y also has some structural problems, including a cracked pool and flooding from an outdated roof, and from a car driving through the outer walls into the daycare center back in 2023.

“I’ve been here for seven years, and I knew that the facility was dated. But I didn’t realize just how dated and how much disrepair there was,” said Riffle. “We need more usable, better space.”

The proposed facility would cost $30–35 million and would include a new aquatic center funded through the city.

“Just think about how many kids still don’t have access to a pool, or they even never get out to the lakes or the rivers to be able to learn how to swim,” Riffle emphasized. “We want to be able to provide that opportunity.”

While the Y aims to enhance lives in the Brainerd Lakes Area from every demographic, youth are at the forefront of Riffle’s motivations for upgrades.

“By building social-emotional learning skills with the kids, helping them learn healthy behaviors and physical activity, we know that they’re going to be stronger, more resilient adults,” he said.

Riffle presented the Brainerd Family YMCA’s plans for a capital campaign to the city council last month. Those plans would include the new facility, updates to Camp Vanasek, and construction of a multi-field indoor sports at Central Lakes College.

The project is something Brainerd City Council members see an interest in exploring.

“We’re super excited to see where this thing can grow to,” said Brainerd Mayor Dave Badeaux. “The nice thing about this project is that they’re staying in the same footprint, right in the heart of our downtown area, right by the school district, and right where those people in need can have access to it.”

The YMCA is planning to meet with local businesses and community members regarding its capital campaign to see if anyone wishes to support the effort.