Ransburg YMCA members aren’t giving up on their community center.
After the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis announced in January that Ransburg will close, people started coordinating online. A Facebook group created on Jan. 22 has already attracted nearly 1,700 members. People in the group are sharing memories and long-shot ideas to save the eastside YMCA.
They’re also asking questions. What did the YMCA do to try to save Ransburg? How did the financial situation become enough to force a closure?
And why is it that suburban YMCA locations are apparently able to thrive while Ransburg and other Indianapolis locations close?
Mirror Indy asked for an interview with the YMCA’s CEO, Gregg Hiland, but a spokesperson turned down the request.
Mirror Indy then sent a list of questions about the YMCA’s mission and finances. A spokesperson left most of the questions unanswered, instead sending a statement.
“We explored every option, including internal expense reductions and greater efficiency, as well as outreach to philanthropic organizations, but found nothing to keep the center sustainable in the long term,” the statement said, in part.
Below are the questions we sent to the YMCA, along with the organization’s response. We are sharing these as part of an effort to answer questions from Ransburg members and to be transparent about our reporting.
What we asked
Question: The YMCA invested in a new facility in Westfield, where the median household income is about $119,000, compared to $49,000 in Warren Township, where Ransburg is located. As a nonprofit charity, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis website says the organization is “dedicated to giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.” How does the decision to invest in a facility for Westfield and close a facility in Warren Township support the organization’s mission?
Answer: Did not answer.
Mirror Indy context: The YMCA uses a sliding scale for membership costs, so low-income residents don’t have to pay full price. Mirror Indy previously asked how many Ransburg members get help paying for their membership, and the spokesperson declined to share.
Question: From 2022 to 2024, revenue for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis decreased by $5.8 million, or about 8%. In that same time period, the YMCA announced the new Westfield location. What contributed to the decline in revenue? What revenue streams has the YMCA lost in that time period (COVID funding, child care vouchers, etc.)? How did the access to those funding streams inform the Westfield investment and the closures of the Athenaeum and Ransburg locations?
Answer: Did not answer.
Mirror Indy context: Revenue and expense data for the YMCA comes from the organization’s tax filings, which we accessed on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. Mirror Indy asked the YMCA for updated information for 2025, but the spokesperson didn’t share the data.
Question: The YMCA opened a studio in Westfield, with plans to expand to a full facility in 2025. From 2022 to 2024, expenses for the organization increased by more than $4 million. What was the main driver for the increase in expenses? How much of that was tied to the Westfield location?
Answer: Did not answer.
Mirror Indy context: The Hamilton County Reporter reported in 2023 that $20 million of the $25 million fundraising goal had been raised. The studio and natatorium opened in 2021 and the full center opened in 2025.
Question: How much revenue was the Westfield location projected to produce? How much did it produce in 2025? Is the Westfield location leading to new memberships as the YMCA expected, or is it serving existing members in Hamilton County?
Answer: Did not answer.
Question: Community members who spoke to Mirror Indy said they understood that Ransburg runs at an expected deficit, which is then covered by revenue from other YMCA locations. Is that the case? Has that changed?
Answer: Did not answer.
Question: Gregg Hiland said, “We explored every option but found no viable solutions for sustainability for this location. While this outcome is painful, it was made to preserve our mission and our ability to serve the central Indiana community for years to come.” What options did you explore?
Answer: YMCA volunteers and leadership worked the past 18 months to address ongoing financial issues specific to the Ransburg center. We explored every option, including internal expense reductions and greater efficiency, as well as outreach to philanthropic organizations, but found nothing to keep the center sustainable in the long term.
Question: The YMCA’s statement said, “Several YMCA locations serve overlapping areas of the east side — and in many cases, other centers are closer to where members live.” What locations are you referring to? How many members does that statement apply to?
Answer: Did not answer.
Question: City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart said he has met with YMCA leadership. Is the goal of those meetings to find a way to keep Ransburg open? What does the YMCA need to keep that location open?
Answer: Did not answer.
Mirror Indy context: The YMCA previously said Ransburg would need an endowment generating about $1 million per year to make the location sustainable.
Hart has been posting updates through his newsletter about the YMCA. He told Mirror Indy that he’s trying to convince the YMCA and local government officials to find a long-term solution. While that likely wouldn’t save Ransburg immediately, Hart said having a solution could make it easier to find philanthropic partners to cover a funding gap in the short term. Their next meeting, which is private, is Feb. 13.
The short version of Hart’s goal: an employee wellness partnership that the city could participate in, and that private employers could also adopt. It would be part of a countywide initiative focused on preventive health care. Hart said the idea is inspired by what Hancock Health offers in Hancock County.
Question: Are other Indianapolis locations at risk of closing?
Answer: The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has no plans to close other centers. The Ransburg closure was the result of continued financial issues specific to that center.
The YMCA’s full response
“YMCA volunteers and leadership worked the past 18 months to address ongoing financial issues specific to the Ransburg center. We explored every option, including internal expense reductions and greater efficiency, as well as outreach to philanthropic organizations, but found nothing to keep the center sustainable in the long term. Community leaders were also informed about the center’s ongoing challenges ahead of our announcement. Closure was a last resort to help ensure the continued strength of the YMCA system.
“We are continuing to engage directly with our members. Association-wide memberships are valid at all YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations, and we look forward to welcoming Ransburg members at other centers.
“The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has no plans to close other centers. The Ransburg closure was the result of continued financial issues specific to that center.”
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
Emily Hopkins is a Mirror Indy reporter focused on data and accountability. You can reach them on phone or Signal at 317-790-5268 or by email at emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org. Follow them on most social media @indyemapolis or on Bluesky @emilyhopkins.bsky.social.
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