History of the Rapid City YMCA

Welcome to the YMCA. The YMCA has a rich history in Rapid City extending back to over 50 years ago. The YMCA was started with a vision to serve the community by providing programs and services to meet many of the physical, social, mental and spiritual needs. In the 1940’s a youth center was organized in a downtown main street building and was called the Cactus Patch. It was later relocated in the Duhamel building and eventually had some difficulties. Don Knecht spearheaded the effort to organize the YMCA of Rapid City, which then took over the Cactus Patch.

In the 1950’s, the most prominent event took place, when the YWCA and YMCA merged. The YWCA owned the "White House" on Kansas City street, which is where the present day YMCA building stands. Through donations made by members of the community the YMCA facility has expanded with four different projects. We are indebted to the vision of our founders and to the support of the thousands of people who contributed to make it all possible. The YMCA has just completed another project – the expansion of an Aquatic Center. This includes a leisure warm water pool, an eight lane lap pool, a family locker room, remodeled women’s locker room and rooftop playground.

We welcome you to the YMCA family and hope to see you get involved here at the Y through special events or other volunteer opportunities.