A new 5,000 square-foot YMCA facility will be coming to Alabama State University’s campus in Montgomery.

The new facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and housed on the ASU campus. It will be staffed and operated in partnership with the YMCA.

The facility, projected to open in the spring, has been called “historic” — it’s the first YMCA on an HBCU campus nationwide, said A.J. Hernandez, president and CEO of YMCA of the Greater Montgomery area.

“What this means is not only community growth, it means access, it means potential achieved, it means staff revitalized, it means so many things for our community that people don’t really realize,” Hernandez said. “It means youth can not only see themselves growing through the YMCA, but also through the university together.”

The facility will offer a diverse range of programs, including youth leadership development programs, sports camps led by ASU coaches, mental wellness workshops, and specialized fitness and educational classes.

“This partnership between Alabama State University and the YMCA of Greater Montgomery represents more than a shared investment in facilities and programs; it reflects our mutual commitment to uplifting our students and our community,” said Quentin Ross Jr., president of ASU. “By working together, we are creating spaces and opportunities that will foster health, growth, and strengthen community connections for generations to come. This is Hornet Nation at its best — leading, serving, and transforming lives.”

The facility will also perform outreach initiatives — health fairs, service projects, and wellness education workshops — to address local health challenges, as well as promote health and wellness resources.

The YMCA will be open to both ASU students and the community, with ASU students having unique opportunities for employment or application of degree programs that involve physical education, as well as what ASU described as other “cross cirriculum” engagement opportunities.