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."
-
Jalen Johnson scores 22 as Hawks beat Pacers 128-108 to keep Indiana winless
The Atlanta Hawks beat Indiana 128-108 in NBA Cup group play on Friday night to keep the Pacers winless this season.
Indy's "most intense" haunted house to permanently close
Nightmare on Edgewood off Meridian Street is open this weekend from 7 p.m. until midnight. As long as you are in line by midnight, you will get to go through the house.
Zionsville aims to attract boutique hotel to ease shortage of hotel rooms
Officials hope a boutique hotel will preserve Zionsville’s small-town charm while expanding lodging options
Lost pet? Beware of scammers demanding cash for their safe return
A new scam is targeting lost pet owners, with scammers posing as local animal shelters or humane societies and calling owners, demanding they give money for their animal's safe return
