KAI has completed the latest project as part of its ongoing contract to renovate YMCA facilities throughout the St. Louis metro area. Funded through a $59 million Gateway Region YMCA improvement plan, the 5-year capital campaign celebrated a milestone by completing improvements to the Chesterfield YMCA.

Located at 16464 Burkhardt Pl, the Chesterfield YMCA celebrated its newly expanded and renovated facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August. KAI provided project management, architecture and interior design on the $9 million improvements aimed at supporting an increased interest in personal health as well as population growth throughout the City of Chesterfield, Mo.

“The City of Chesterfield continues to experience exciting and explosive growth and development, especially in the areas immediately surrounding our Y,” stated Tim Peters, Executive Director of the Chesterfield YMCA. “The renovated facility modernizes the fitness and wellness experience for our members, expands programs for youth and adults, adds critical new spaces for community health and nutrition programs, and provides resources for youth education and support.”

Originally built in 1989, the Chesterfield Y is an anchor of the community for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities and provides more than $110,000 in financial assistance annually to individuals and families who may otherwise not be able to access its memberships, programs and services.

Renovations to the facility include:

•An 11,000-square-foot addition for a fitness center, fitness assessment rooms, restrooms and new accessible entrances at the theater and fitness portions of the building

•Creation of specialty studios for mind and body, cycling and group exercise

•A new community café to provide nutrition education, food outreach programming and community events

•Relocation and renovation of the Child Watch room for easier convenience and an enhanced experience for youth

•An updated lobby with open spaces for informational workshops and family and senior engagement activities

•Renovated locker rooms and a new family locker room space

•Upgrades to the building’s entrance that include new glass doors, sidewalks, decorative horizontal planking on the facade, refurbished canopies and new planter boxes

“It was a fun project to be involved with,” said KAI Senior Project Manager Joel Kerschen, AIA, CSI, LEED AP BD+C. “There were a lot of exciting changes to the facility, and it is great to see it open and great to see it busy. Even before we were totally done, the workout area was busy and the parking lot was full, so that is a great sign.”

Other St. Louis regional YMCA facilities that received upgrades designed by KAI as part of the improvement campaign include:

•South County YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex – This groundbreaking and transformative project is the first of its kind in Missouri and one of only 46 in the United States offering children with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joys and benefits of playing sports in an inclusive environment. The state-of-the-art complex includes a custom-designed Miracle League baseball field, soccer field, running track, outdoor fitness area, playground, office space, concession building, covered pavilion, family-style restrooms, and parking – all designed with accessibility as a top priority.

•Bayer YMCA – An expanded Early Childhood Education Center and Teen Tech Center, new community kitchen, increased health and wellness services and a new family changing room

•South County Family YMCA – An expanded health and wellness center, new fitness equipment and larger gym, and a new core and functional room, group exercise class studio and universal locker room

•Emerson YMCA – An expanded community kitchen and health and wellness services, and new family changing room, teen hub, child watch area and multipurpose space

•Jefferson County YMCA – New family locker room and renovations to the women’s locker room

The Gateway Region YMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, featuring 24 traditional Y branches in Missouri and Illinois, along with the Campus Y student leadership facility at Washington University. The Y also includes YMCA Camp Lakewood and Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. For more information, visit gwrymca.org.