INDIANAPOLIS — The Athenaeum was built as a gym in 1894 and still served that purpose under the YMCA umbrella. The Athenaeum Foundation is determined to keep that tradition going, even without the YMCA.
The YMCA shut down its Athenaeum operation on Friday after running the building's gym since 1992. The Athenaeum Foundation decided it will run the gym on its own so the space and equipment do not go to waste.
"We started to think, 'What operators would want to come into this space?'" Athenaeum Foundation president Craig Mince said. "Eventually we said, 'Why don't we just do it ourselves?'"
The gym space will close for several weeks and reopen on May 1. The memberships will start at $45 per month.
Mince said it is vital to keep the gym running for the people who live and work in downtown Indianapolis.
"It really is a community. It's the staff, it's the other patrons of the gym, it's the easy access," Mince said. "A lot of members of this gym walk here on a regular basis, they're in the surrounding communities within a few blocks. It's really created this family dynamic that uses this space."
One of those members, Joyce MacKinnon, credits the Athenaeum YMCA for keeping her health in order as she ages.
"I started silver sneakers a couple of years ago," MacKinnon said. "When I started, my hips hurt and I was taking Advil. I don't have to take Advil anymore."
She's relieved the Athenaeum gym will reopen because of the convenience and community she has there.
"I walk here, and most of us in the class do," MacKinnon said. "We'll all be together. Our community will not falter."
-
Porch pirate steals $300 in medication from Indy mom's doorstep
Home security video shows a woman ringing the doorbell at Ashley Hogue’s home before walking away with a package containing more than $300 worth of medication
More IPS graduates are attending college, here's the program that's helping
Across all four IPS district-managed high schools, the admissions cycle saw dramatic growth in 2025. The IPS Future Center gives students a place to figure out what comes after graduation.
Gas main break in Arcadia forces residents to evacuate
A gas main break in Arcadia is forcing residents in the area to evacuate on Monday, according to Arcadia Police.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools superintendent resigns, effective April 13
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Pat Mapes announced on Monday that he is stepping down after two years. Mapes will leave on April 13.
