About Your YMCA

In 1966, the South DeKalb Civic Club presented a request to the Metropolitan Atlanta YMCA asking for development of a Branch Y in South DeKalb.  The Board of Management of the Southeastern Branch delegated John Graham to find a suitable location.  Mr. Graham identified an 18-acre tract of land between Wesley Chapel and Snapfinger Roads.  In 1971, an option to buy the land was signed and a feasibility study was commissioned.  After the completion of the study, the land was purchased.  The first sustaining membership drive was successful and the National Charter was received. 

The Atlanta YMCA Trustees allocated $86,000 in 1972 to build a lodge, temporary headquarters, Day Camp facilities, restrooms, athletic fields and storage areas.  Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new facility were held in 1975 and the facility was completed and open house was held in 1976.  The facility included an indoor swimming pool, offices, exercise and locker rooms.

The YMCA Lodge burned to the ground in 1984 and program activities were held at neighboring churches.  A capital campaign was held in 1985 and this campaign raised funds to build a gymnasium, weight room, offices, paved-parking lot, two multi-purpose rooms and to renovate the pool.  The expansion was completed January 3, 1989. 

In 1993, The South DeKalb Branch, in agreement with the Metropolitan Board, approved an expansion of 2.6 million to include a Wellness Center.  This addition included a Sauna and Steam Rooms, Whirlpool, Weight Room, an enlarged Aerobics studio, adult locker rooms and two (2) Racquetball courts.  A 25,000 sq. ft. Child Care Academy was included in this expansion.  This facility would provide services for children of teenage mothers, a Y-CAT tutorial program for pre-teens and summer day camp..  The Wellness Center was completed in the Fall of 1994 and the Snapfinger Child Care Academy was completed the following Fall. The Branch expanded again by opening a second Child Care Academy in the fall of 2000 in Lithonia.