If you’ve recently driven by the corner of Salem Avenue and Philadelphia Drive in Dayton, you may have noticed an uptick in activity on the once-vacant site of Good Samaritan Hospital. The newly constructed Premier Health YMCA, the centerpiece of a 13-acre campus, is the result of an innovative collaboration between CareSource, County Corp, Goodwill Easterseals of the Miami Valley, Premier Health, Wright State University and the YMCA of Greater Dayton. The facility offers health and wellness services, educational opportunities, job training and assistance for prospective and current homeowners, which are vital resources for residents in Northwest Dayton.
The new Premier Health YMCA offers Northwest Dayton residents convenient access to comprehensive health and wellness resources.
“The Phoenix Next Project, a public-private partnership that invests funds for redevelopment activities in the neighborhoods surrounding the former Good Samaritan Hospital, approached us several years ago to discuss a concept for the facility,” said Dale Brunner, president and CEO for the YMCA of Greater Dayton. “The 51,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building stands as a testament to what is achievable through community partnerships and shared dedication to the well-being of our residents.”
The Dayton Foundation supported the project in 2022 with a $450,000 discretionary grant, made possible by donors who have established unrestricted or lightly restricted charitable funds that allow the Foundation to act on pressing needs throughout Greater Dayton.
The Dayton Foundation’s generous grant really jumpstarted the capital campaign and has made a profound impact. – Dale Brunner, president and CEO, YMCA of Greater Dayton
“The entire construction process, from groundbreaking to completion, took one year, and we are delighted to report that the project was completed on time and within the allocated $18.1 million budget,” Dale said. “This accomplishment reflects the careful planning and exceptional teamwork of all involved parties. The Dayton Foundation’s generous grant really jumpstarted the capital campaign and has made a profound impact.”
The new facility, which opened last December, has been a bustling hotspot for local residents. Unique to this new “Y,” as the welcome desk sign reads, is that it’s a one-stop-shop community resource hub, with CareSource, County Corp, Goodwill and Premier Health offices on site, as well as rotating tables manned by community organizations lining the front lobby. The goal is to spread awareness and give visitors easier access to services they may need or for which they may qualify.
On-site amenities at the Premier Health YMCA include smartphone interactive fitness equipment, a full-size gymnasium and a play area for children.
“The Premier Health YMCA is all about providing opportunities and resources to the Northwest Dayton community,” Dale said. “Our partners create foot traffic, which helps with the growth and engagement at the new YMCA and its partners.”
In fact, the Premier Health YMCA has seen an increase in membership, thanks in part to a wide variety of amenities, such as smartphone interactive fitness equipment, on-site personal trainers, exercise classes and a full-size, soft-water competition pool. The total number of individuals served at the new location is more than 2,800.
“People are more likely to engage with new facilities that align with the positive changes happening in the neighborhood,” Dale said. “Offering a diverse range of activities that cater to different age groups and interests can make the YMCA more appealing to a broader audience.”
In 2023, the YMCA of Greater Dayton served more than 226,000 individuals in diverse communities throughout the region. Scholarships, subsidies and outreach provided access to critical YMCA programs and services for middle- to low-income families. More than 5,000 volunteers joined its mission of strengthening the community by contributing their time and efforts to the YMCA, which provided more than $2 million in financial assistance to area families and individuals.
Dale stresses the importance of this support, which helps make the YMCA accessible to everyone and enriches the lives of its members.
“Since I joined the YMCA after my retirement, it has been a wonderful opportunity to exercise my body, learn new things and become a better person,” said Barbara Backerstaff, a Premier Health YMCA member. “Come join us at the ‘Y’! It’s better for your heart, health and soul. Plus, you can meet new people or see some you already know. We will be looking for you. It is a great place to be!”