Joliet's Smith Family YMCA Closing Forever

JOLIET, IL — The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced Friday that it will permanently close the Smith Family YMCA at 1350 S. Briggs Street in Joliet. March 26 will be its last day open.

About 25 employees work at the Smith YMCA.

Joliet YMCA officials told Patch they are still evaluating their options as far as what will happen to the building once they close it permanently next month.

“The challenges of the past 12 months have provided our YMCA with an opportunity to take a long, hard look at the programs we offer in the Joliet community. The Smith Family YMCA has proudly served residents of Joliet since 1978, but in recent years, its most impactful programs have operated outside of our YMCA walls and in the community,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts.

Two of the YMCA’s largest youth development programs, including its before and after school kid zone and summer day camp programs, will be moving to the Salvation Army Building in downtown Joliet.

Additional YMCA programs will be moved to other community locations in the months ahead, YMCA officials announced Friday.

On March 27, Smith Family YMCA members will transition to the Galowich Family YMCA at 749 Houbolt Road in Joliet. All employees at the Smith Family YMCA will have the opportunity to continue employment with the Y by moving to a new community program site or one of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s facilities in Joliet, Morris, or Plainfield, Friday's news release announced.

“Although we are very sad to be retiring the Smith Family YMCA building, we are excited to write the next chapter of the Y’s storied history in the Joliet community. At the YMCA, our mission lives within the hearts of our members, volunteers, and staff, and we know that the spirit of the Smith Family YMCA will live on in our programs for generations to come. We remain committed to providing a YMCA experience for all and serving the Joliet community,” Watts said.