Columbus State, YMCA of Central Ohio propose partnership for new campus YMCA
The Columbus State YMCA would be operated by the YMCA on the college’s downtown campus to serve students and the downtown Columbus community
Campus News | Thursday, August 28, 2025
Update: Students vote in support of new fee that would fund project
Campus News | Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
From Sept. 16-30, eligible students have had the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed student fee that would fund a new Columbus State YMCA, including free drop-in childcare for students. Students voted on whether they support a Student Recreation Fee of up to $65 per semester that would start in the fall semester of 2028.
The votes have been tallied, and a strong majority ― 90.8% ― voted in support of the project fee. Overall, 12.3% of eligible voters cast ballots (2,347 out of 19,107 students) since voting opened on Sept. 16. College Credit Plus and APPL apprenticeship students were not eligible to vote, since they would not be subject to the fee.
What happens next
The supportive student vote will allow the college to bring the proposal forward to the Columbus State Board of Trustees and Ohio Department of Higher Education for consideration. If both approve the plan for Columbus State YMCA, design work would begin on the 55,000-square-foot facility, which would be located on the downtown campus.
Columbus State Community College and the YMCA of Central Ohio are partnering to propose a state-of-the-art YMCA facility on the college’s downtown campus that would support student and community wellness, including drop-in child care to student parents while on campus.
The college will conduct a student vote in the fall to determine support for the project, including a proposed student fee to fund most of the costs of the Columbus State YMCA and services. If a majority of voting students support the fee, the plan would move forward for consideration by the Columbus State Board of Trustees and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
The 50,000-square-foot Columbus State YMCA would be built at the northeast corner of Long Street and Cleveland Avenue on land currently serving as a college surface parking lot. The project cost is estimated at $38 million.
“This transformative partnership with the YMCA will help enhance student success by addressing some of the non-academic barriers that can derail students’ plans,” said David Harrison, Columbus State president. “By offering health, well-being and drop-in child care, the Columbus State YMCA will provide new resources for our students, particularly those who work, are parents, or both. At the same time, the Columbus State Y will be a community asset for those who live and work near downtown.”
“This proposal has the potential to be a catalyst for the continued growth of the Discovery District,” said Tony Collins, YMCA of Central Ohio president and CEO. “In partnership with Columbus State, we envision a state-of-the-art facility that advances student success, especially for parents balancing academics and family, while strengthening the health and vitality of the Creative Campus and restoring YMCA programs and services to the downtown community.”
As Columbus State has made changes and updates to its campus over the past several years, the college is currently operating without a dedicated fitness facility. The creation of a Columbus State YMCA would enable intramural student sports with a gymnasium and pickleball courts, house cardio and strength training spaces as well as an indoor track, offer wellness programming through dedicated studios, and swimming with a lap pool and other amenities.
Critical child care access for student parents
One in four of Columbus State students are believed to be student parent caregivers who also work at least part time, based on the college’s most recent survey data. Flexibility in child care support is key for these students to be able to access a college education.
Drop-in child care at the Columbus State YMCA would provide up to five hours per day to the college’s student parents at no additional cost to them. Children will be cared for by licensed YMCA Youth Development experts who create engaging, age-appropriate activities that foster learning, social skills and resilience.
The drop-in child care available at the Columbus State YMCA would expand the options available at the college. In 2024, the college opened its Center for Early Learning – a traditional childcare center operated by the Childhood Development Council of Franklin County, Inc. The Center for Early Learning offers full-time daycare slots on weekdays, not drop-in availability.
How the partnership would work
Columbus State will inform students about the proposed YMCA and its aligned fee structure during Autumn semester 2025, and solicit a vote within the fall. A majority vote of support for the student fee would enable the college to proceed with the approval processes of the college’s Board of Trustees and the Ohio Department of Education. If the project and fee are approved, eligible Columbus State students would receive access to all regional and most national YMCA locations starting in summer 2026, two years before the fee would be assessed. The partners anticipate that the facility would open and fee assessment would begin in Autumn Semester 2028. To learn more, visit https://www.cscc.edu/go/ymca/.
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