About Your YMCA
The Northside Branch YMCA was opened in 1946 as a suburban program extension of the original downtown YMCA. Three other program extensions opened in other expanding suburban locations of growing post-war Atlanta.
In 1962, a new, comprehensive, $72,000 state-of-the-art YMCA opened its doors on Roswell Road. It had 97,730 square feet of space on three levels - conveniently located in the suburbs just north of the business district. In the late 1970s we added 10 acres of youth sports fields on a total of 17 acres of land on Windsor Parkway and introduced the city to the game of soccer. In 1981, a new fitness center was added as a part of a building renovation.
Keeping with the extension theory of development, Buckhead helped foster program development in Ashford Dunwoody and North Fulton County, which led to the establishment of the Cowart Family/Ashford Dunwoody YMCA and the Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA.
In its prime, the Buckhead YMCA was central to the mission delivery system of the YMCA. It was a flagship and leader, bringing soccer, launching branches and serving the largest Indian Guide enrollment in the United States. Part of its history is enmeshed in Atlanta's as well. Anyone who was anyone probably served on the Buckhead Board, including Ivan Allen (Atlanta mayor and businessman), I.M. Sheffield (Georgia Life Insurance), Buddy Parker, Jimmy Fluker, Richard Guthman - the list is a who's who of successful Atlanta businessmen.
But times changed. The suburbs moved north; retail moved into the area; traffic snarled; and the district became known for nightlife and commerce. The YMCA facility needs changed as YMCA program focus changed. Even as the old Y considered closing, it continued to serve more than 3,500 youth in sports, 6,500 people in other programs and 2,000 in the facility.
During the 1990s, the Buckhead YMCA found itself in a gradual but continuous decline in members. More than 30 alternative providers of similar programs moved into the Buckhead market.
The members who were entrenched at the Roswell Road location wanted the Y to remain committed to this location. Retrofitting the Roswell Road facility could not meet the economic test for viability.
The YMCA explored many options for relocation over a five year period. In 1996, the YMCA sold the Roswell Road property to its neighbor - the Peachtree Presbyterian Church. The Y selected this property for its family neighborhood setting with easy access to the freeway and usable program space. We found it at Moores Mill Road - the new location.
During construction on the property, the branch operated for 2½ years in a modular unit on the new site. Programs included tennis, after-school child care, youth sports, and Indian Guides.
We have a true home on Moores Mill Road. We have the finest facilities and staff in the country. We are ready to serve the Buckhead Community.
The Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead - A tradition worth keeping...
