Gary, Indiana – Governor Mike Braun announced Thursday the completion of a major community investment: the new Gary YMCA at the Tolleston Opportunity Campus. The $48 million hub spans 110,000 square feet and brings together a 70,000‑square‑foot YMCA, a renovated Gary Boys & Girls Club, a childcare center for infants and preschoolers, classrooms, a wellness center, a teaching kitchen and outdoor recreation spaces.
State Funding and Partnerships
The project was made possible by $10 million in grant money from Indiana’s Rural Economic Development Initiative (READI) 1.0 program. READI, a $1.25 billion statewide investment, aims to strengthen communities, attract talent and expand opportunities for Hoosiers. Gary is part of the Northwest Indiana READI region, which has received $95 million in matching funds for projects across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski and Starke counties.
The YMCA is a collaborative effort between Crossroads YMCA, Methodist Hospitals and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana. By co‑locating these services, the campus creates a one‑stop resource for families seeking health, wellness, education and childcare support.
What the Hub Offers
Families in Gary can now access a range of programs designed to promote healthy living and lifelong learning. The wellness center provides fitness classes and health screenings, while the teaching kitchen offers nutrition education and cooking workshops. The childcare facility supports working parents with safe, developmentally appropriate care for infants and preschool‑age children.
Community gathering spaces and outdoor recreation areas give residents a place to meet, play and build social connections. The integration of the Boys & Girls Club ensures that after‑school programs and youth development initiatives remain a cornerstone of the campus.
Impact on the Community
Governor Braun emphasized that the hub reflects Indiana’s commitment to investing in its most vulnerable neighborhoods. “This facility gives Gary families the tools they need to thrive—healthcare, education, recreation—all under one roof,” Braun said at the ribbon‑cutting ceremony.
Local leaders anticipate that the center will create jobs, stimulate nearby businesses and serve as a catalyst for further revitalization in the Tolleston area. The READI program’s broader goal of retaining talent aligns with the hub’s focus on youth development and workforce readiness.
Looking Ahead
The Tolleston Opportunity Campus joins a growing network of READI‑funded projects across Indiana, each designed to empower communities through strategic investments in infrastructure and services. As more funding is allocated through READI 2.0, officials expect additional projects that will continue to lift up Hoosier families and strengthen the state’s economic future.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
