By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

ALLEGHENY CITY CENTRAL — If one were to look through the Allegheny YMCA as it stands right now, it would be a little hard to believe that the building is a little over halfway through its $23 million renovation. Floors, walls and ceilings remain torn up, uncovered holes are visible and a lack of air conditioning leads to stifling heat in the summer sun.

However, halfway through is where the project currently stands, and the progress has staff at the Y brimming with excitement as they get closer and closer to their grand reopening.

“I think it’s great for our members, great for our residents and great for this area and the community,” said Duane Fegley, facility director at the Allegheny YMCA. “It’s been long overdue and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Kicking off in January of this year, the Allegheny YMCA’s remodeling is expected to finish in January 2026, bringing with it a host of upgrades for the public, YMCA members and residents at the building. The Northside Chronicle was given an exclusive tour of the construction zone, offering a sneak peek into the planned new amenities the Y will feature once finished.

Although they may be hard to spot now amidst the dust, tools and parts scattered around the work area now, already the seeds for many of the Y’s improvements can be seen. Two new elevator shafts are under construction, both about twice the size of the building’s previous elevator, which was a tight fit for two adults at the best of times.

Check out the August edition of The Northside Chronicle for the complete story.