Champaign, Ill. (CHAMBANA TODAY) — The Stephens Family YMCA is excited to announce that it has entered the planning phase for a major 50,000-square-foot expansion aimed at better serving the growing needs of the local community. With support from Carle Health, which has committed to donating land directly south of the current facility, the expansion will provide the YMCA with the space needed to grow, while also bringing critical healthcare services to the community.

“We are pleased to partner with Carle Health to increase access to therapy, rehabilitation, and wellness programs as part of this initiative,” said the YMCA in a statement. “This expansion is a direct response to the rising demand for YMCA programs, which now serves more than 5,500 family memberships and over 14,000 individual members.”

As part of the early development phase, the YMCA is working to secure bids and funding sources, but no final design or construction timeline has been set. The YMCA is committed to working transparently throughout the process, gathering community feedback, and evaluating funding options to ensure the success of the project.

Expanding Services for Youth, Families, and Wellness
The expansion will include 30,000 square feet dedicated to advancing the YMCA’s core mission, which will feature:

• Additional youth and teen areas

• Expanded wellness and fitness facilities

• Classrooms and community connection spaces

• Enhanced preschool and youth program spaces

• Dedicated Larkin’s Place programming space

• Outdoor turf areas for child watch, youth sports, and family activities

Carle Health will occupy approximately 20,000 square feet in the expanded space, bringing expanded therapy, rehabilitation, and wellness services to the community. Both organizations are aligned in their commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas.

“The need for expanded space is clear,” said Lynne Barnes, Board President of the Stephens Family YMCA. “This project has the potential to impact thousands of local families for generations to come, and we are committed to stewarding this process thoughtfully and transparently as planning continues.”

“Expanding our YMCA is about more than adding space—it’s about strengthening the heart of our community. We are seeing tremendous growth in the number of families who rely on us every day, and this project positions us to meet those needs for decades to come. While we are still early in the planning process, we are excited about what this expansion could mean for the children, families, and members we serve,” said Jeff Scott, CEO of the Stephens Family YMCA.

“This collaboration demonstrates a shared dedication to supporting the ongoing health and wellbeing of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas, ensuring services evolve to meet community needs,” said Caleb Miller, Carle Health Specialty and Ambulatory Care senior vice president.

Next Steps for the Expansion
The YMCA is relying on a combination of philanthropic donations, grants, and other funding sources to make the project a reality. A major fundraising campaign will be key to moving forward with this transformative initiative. The YMCA is optimistic that the expanded space will become an essential community hub, enriching the lives of local families for generations to come.