Upcoming Changes to the High Ridge YMCA

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago regrets to share that we have had to make the difficult decision to permanently close the High Ridge YMCA located at 2424 West Touhy Avenue starting Friday, January 29, 2021, at 7 PM. The overwhelming economic stress caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) has put an enormous strain on our organization to the point where we are no longer able to sustain the center during and after the pandemic.

Even before the current healthcare crisis, the High Ridge YMCA had been operating at a loss for a number of years, mainly due to declining membership and program enrollment, limited space that has restricted program offerings, increased competition in the area, and rising costs. Knowing how much the community valued the High Ridge YMCA’s programs and services, we sought to keep the center going despite its losses. Unfortunately, we have reached the point where we cannot identify a path to sustainability for the High Ridge YMCA, so we have made the difficult decision to close the center. 

The past nine months have made us aware that we will emerge from the pandemic a very different organization than we were going in. Driven by a commitment to continue serving Chicagoland families for years to come, we are focused on the sustainability of operations at centers where we can make the greatest impact.

We hope High Ridge members and participants will consider giving us the opportunity to serve them at any of our 13 other YMCA membership centers across the Chicagoland area, including the Lake View YMCA at 3333 N. Marshfield Avenue and the Irving Park YMCA at 4251 W. Irving Park Road. These are the two closest Y centers in our Association to the High Ridge Y. Both facilities have swimming pools, large workout areas, basketball courts, a robust aquatics and fitness program, and ample parking. Please contact us for a tour of any of our facilities - we can’t wait to show you around.

It has been our honor to be a part of the West Rogers Park community for almost 70 years, and we hope to find other ways to serve the area in the future. Thank you to all those who have supported the High Ridge YMCA.