YMCA of Windsor and Essex County

Specialties

Health and Fitness

Aquatics

Childcare

Youth Engagement and Development

Day and Specialty Camps

Newcomer Services

History

Established in 1868.

What would our community look like without a YMCA?

Go back to 1868. That is the year that the YMCA movement started to operate in the Border Cities area. The first Windsor YMCA was formed under President Alexander Bartlett on Riverside Drive.

Over the last 140 years we have been a leader in our community. Our core business has been to help individuals stay or become healthy. We give individuals the tools and opportunities to grow as leaders. We have provided direction, support, and safe haven for new comers to our community.

In 1925 our association was the first in the world to operate a combined YMCA and YWCA.

From 1939 – 1945 the YMCA and YWCA supported the servicemen who were stationed in the Windsor area.

In 1948 the YMCA started the New Canadians program to assist individuals new to Canada.

In 1950’s and 1960’s we were the community centre for many of Windsor’s families.

In 1975 we opened a New Health, Fitness, and Recreation centre. This centre was designed to meet the emer