YMCA of CentralTexas history

Undeterred, by September of 1952, Guyton had established a “Temporary Board,” and at the new board’s first meeting on November 13, 1952, Mr.

By early 1953, the Board had begun plans for membership enrollment but were increasingly hampered by one small problem: they had not acquired a building to house the YMCA of Austin.

Yet by May of 1967, the YMCA Board of Directors had taken note of another distinction, albeit a dubious one.

Additional funds were raised by selling the Bremond House in 1968 to the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, which occupies the building to this day.

Adams’ careful guidance that the TownLake Branch was built in 1969.

When he originally signed on in 1971 as Physical Director, the organization had yet to establish the breadth of activities now found at Y branches.

Their efforts resulted in a United Way “Youth Contingency Fund” in 1976, which eventually became the seed money for the Y. The first Y executive director then began working from a portable building at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Lampasas Street.

With the arrival of new Executive Director Jim Kenton in 1981, the YMCA of Austin’s new “Holy Grail” would become the construction of a swimming pool.

The YMCA of Greater Williamson County also established its first school-based after school program in 1989 by partnering with Round Rock ISD.

In 1993, the long-awaited TownLake natatorium opened, boosting YMCA membership by 40% within the first year, and the Southwest YMCA Preschool opened adjacent to the Southwest Branch.

1997 saw the construction of a new Metropolitan Office facility adjacent to TownLake and the opening of the North Park YMCA to serve North Central Austin;

In 2002, the Northwest Family YMCA opened to an overwhelming reception, pushing past 7,000 members within its first six months of operation.

The 2007 edition of Rescuing Texas History brings together photographs, postcards, letters, and more to give a glimpse into the rich history of the state.