Columbus State students could soon be getting a brand new perk on campus. The college is teaming up with the YMCA of Central Ohio on a proposal for a 50,000-square-foot YMCA at Long Street and Cleveland Avenue, right where a surface parking lot currently sits.
If it gets the green light, the facility would come with all the things you’d expect—fitness equipment, courts for intramurals (yes, including pickleball), a track, wellness studios, and a pool. But the part that could really change the game? Child care.
According to a recent survey, one in four Columbus State students is also a parent.
Balancing classes, jobs, and family is a lot, and drop-in child care—up to five hours a day at no extra cost—could be a lifeline. Kids would be looked after by YMCA youth development staff, who are trained to actually engage them, not just keep them busy.
“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 Columbus State president David Harrison.
YMCA of Central Ohio president and CEO Tony Collins sees it as more than just a student perk. “This proposal has the potential to be a catalyst for the continued growth of the Discovery District,” he said, pointing out that the new Y could help revitalize downtown while restoring YMCA programs to the area.
The price tag is about $38 million, but students will get to weigh in before anything moves forward. This fall, they’ll vote on whether they’re willing to add a student fee to help pay for the project. If a majority say yes, the proposal heads to the Board of Trustees and the state for approval.
And while the building itself wouldn’t open until 2028, Columbus State students could start using YMCA facilities around the region as early as 2026—two years before the fee even kicks in.
