After more than 50 years, the YMCA in downtown Davenport is going to move. Friday night, the Y at Second and Gaines at the foot of the Centennial Bridge will close, and in a week its replacement will open at 4th Street and River Drive.
Brad Martell, President and CEO of the YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley, says the Y bought the new site in 2012.
"At that time I think in 2012 the Y was going to be built down on the street. And we got a drone and we took it up three stories and we really liked the sight lines so we decided let's build the Y up on the bluff."
He says the old facility opened in 1964 with 98,000 square feet, but only half of it was really usable. The new one has 75,000 square feet.
"All of it is very usable space highlighted by a three-story atrium in the middle of the building and a 5,000 square foot group exercise studio that overlooks the Mississippi River."
New features in the new Y include a five-lane lap pool and a one-eighth mile running track.
The 1964 facility officially closes Friday night at 8, and the new one opens in a week, on Monday December 21st.
