Missoula Family YMCA Preschool

During my experience at the Missoula YMCA I’ve watched my friends with disabilities cry because management prioritized overpriced furniture and wouldn’t replace the only wheelchair for weeks. My friends and other YMCA members lost their rent or grocery money when management installed plastic lockers with built in locks that could easily pulled open with no warnings or signage. I sat down with COO Keri McHugh and told her that the sauna is important to the Indigenous community and especially elders, and after she told me she doesn’t know about Native culture they went on to make the sauna much smaller and less accessible. Through all of this Mrs. McHugh kept her voicemail full, with the CEO telling me that it’s part of her strategy. I don’t have enough time to get into the many ways other directors have personally let me down, but it’s an impressive amount. Similar to what is happening in American politics we have people in power who are under qualified, overconfident, and blinded by privilege prioritizing ego and fancy renovations over the people and communities they’re supposed to serve. I was vocal about my concerns and I was punished for it. Eventually I gave up on accountability and trying to help, just wanting to show up and work out with my cousin. Yet YMCA management still goes out of their way to make me uncomfortable and disregard my requests to stop unwanted and inappropriate interactions. The high school level drama and HR-friendly corporate bullying really makes me think that the YMCA’s core values revolve around dinner party bragging rights and lack of accountability, much different from the magical place I built it up to be through my entire childhood. After several years of trying to be a positive force and being stomped out by the people who are supposed to be helping, Missoula YMCA management has finally successfully convinced me that the YMCA is not a good place to be and that I’m not welcome. If Keri actually cared about the YMCA core values she would step down and let someone who’s qualified and competent fill the position, but I truly don’t think the Missoula YMCA can even remember what their own core values are, let alone hold her and her spineless enablers/subordinates accountable. TLDR: If you love smiling, not asking questions, standing for nothing, kissing rings, and the taste of boots you’re going to have a great time at the Missoula YMCA.

They talk about helping all families with financial assistance so all kids have an opportunity to attend their programs however they seem a bit out of touch with reality. 60% off of a week of camp still comes to almost $150. That’s not helping all families by any means. A little perspective seems in order as they think that’s somehow more achievable than full price. For those of us that could really use the assistance it’s just as impossible. One would think they had more compassion for children and families truly struggling than that. Glad they’re enjoying the new remodel that the community paid 20.5 MILLION dollars for that allowed them to incur zero debt. Nice to see them not passing that on to children truly in need. “Here for good” ya, right.

Front desk staff is so kind, and all of the trainers and staff upstairs and elsewhere are really friendly too. Nice clean facility and good pickup ball games today! A blessed reminder about how essential the YMCA is as a community hub - as the training tools provide everything you need for individual growth, and the games you play in provide the community camaraderie.

Bikes and weights and machines were super close to each other so it made working out kind of uncomfortable and awkward.You were in other people's space. No t.v in bike room. Hot tub is extremely small.Super uncomfortable.There was a larger gentleman in there when I sat in, I felt like I was sitting on his lap. It was very stuffy and muggy.The ventilation system wasn't strong enough or something.

The new renovations at the YMCA are honestly awesome. The updated Olympic-sized swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna area turned out great. The sauna especially is phenomenal and a really solid size compared to a lot of others I’ve used. The gym layout is also very well done with a good free weight setup, cycle room, and a large stretching/calisthenics area that doesn’t feel cramped. Overall, this is easily the best YMCA I’ve personally been to, though I’ve only visited about half a dozen. The only real downside is the pool schedule. Recreational swimming times get pretty limited, especially after school hours on weekdays because of swim classes and organized activities. Totally understandable, but it would be nice if they could keep at least one lane, especially the one with the basketball hoop, open for general public swimming during those times. Other than that, the renovations seriously transformed the place and it’s a great facility now.