Over the next couple years, the organization plans to continue growing by adding a new Georgetown facility in 2026.
The big picture
The YMCA of Central Texas offers 10 different membership levels to fit the various needs of youth, young adults, families, couples and seniors.
Jeff Andresen, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Texas, said he’s proud the Y is a place all ages can feel welcome.
“The YMCA is truly a family place,” Andresen said. “We truly serve those young families that need a place where mom and dad can pursue their health and wellness while our staff teams take care of their children and get their kids involved in programs.”
On top of children and family camps, the YMCA offers youth programs, which help foster leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, according to the Y’s website. Some of the programs include:
- Dance and gymnastics
- eSports
- Outdoor education
- Arts at the Y
- Martial arts
- Lego and robotics classes
A long time coming
The YMCA of Central Texas and the city of Georgetown are collaborating to deliver a new YMCA facility in northwest Georgetown in late 2026, Andresen said. City staff first met with the YMCA in February 2022 to discuss the partnership, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
While the Georgetown Family YMCA storefront has offered childcare since 2017, the new build will be the city’s first fully-equipped facility, Andresen said. Officials conducted market research to determine what Georgetown households look for in recreational facilities, he said.
“We are overjoyed that we're doing it in partnership with the city of Georgetown,” Andresen said.
YMCA and Georgetown officials have not reached a decision on the building’s name yet, but Sports Clips will be included as a nod to the business’ generous donations, Andresen said. Construction is expected to start in late 2025, said Laura Arredondo, YMCA of Central Texas chief marketing officer.
Did you know?
The YMCA originally started 180 years ago in London and quickly expanded to the United States, according to its website. While Andresen has been with the nonprofit for almost 40 years, he’s been serving in Central Texas for 20 years, he said.
Currently, there are about 18,000 units of memberships—which includes family and individual memberships—in Central Texas, Andresen said. While membership rates can change depending on location, Andresen said the Y has a financial aid program to offset costs for qualified members.
Zooming in
In December, the CHASCO Family YMCA in Round Rock held the 10th annual Christmas Dreams & Snowy Things—one of the Y’s biggest events, said Cathleen Phelps, Georgetown Family YMCA executive director.
The free event allowed families across the Austin area to enjoy 90,000 pounds of snow and winter activities, Phelps said, who has brought her kids to enjoy the snow every year since its inception.
“Getting to bring events like that to families who would otherwise not have an opportunity to experience something like that is what we strive to do,” Phelps said. “We always say where there is a need, we try to meet that need.”
The event had the biggest turnout to date, with about 9,000 attendees, Arredondo said.
In their own words
Phelps said she will prioritize looking for where services are lacking and continue catering to individuals needing assistance.
“We just strive to do good work, and we just expect ourselves to deliver really ... amazing experiences for our community,” Phelps said.
