(VIDEO) One Final Goodbye for Popular Building in Rochester, MN

Quite a bit of sad news has popped up these past few years about the YMCA in Rochester, Minnesota. Today, there is one final story that shows the last few moments of the building that served this community for almost 60 years at 709 1st Ave. SW.

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January 4th, 2022 - the day our community learned that the Rochester Area Family YMCA building on 1st Avenue was going to close.
January 31st, 2022 - Doors closed for good.
April 23rd, 2022 - Doors were reopening one last time as office furniture, toys, workout equipment and more were available for the public for free.
October 31st, 2023 - Announcement made indicating Enclave purchased the property for $5.9 million with the intention of building a 219-until apartment development.
November 7th, 2023 - first timeline of demolition shared indicating that it would start "soon and will continue through the end of 2023".
January 3rd, 2024 - the start of the new year also brought the start of demolition for the Rochester Area Family YMCA building.
February 21st, 2024 - video with drone footage of the demolition shared with the community by Realty Growth Inc. (see below)

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Final Story Showcasing the Last Moments of the Rochester Area Family YMCA Building on 1st Avenue

The last time I walked into the Rochester Area Family YMCA was to speak with a group of women for a MOPS group. They were meeting in a room on the 2nd floor, a room that I had been in many times while on staff for this organization. At that time, I never thought about saying "goodbye". This was where kids learned how to swim, had a place to go during the summer, and learned how to play basketball with Kris Humphries.

Kris Humphries at the Rochester Area Family YMCA on July 21st, 2017 - Jessica Williams

It wasn't until I went for a walk at Soldier's Field a few weeks ago that I realized a goodbye would have been some great closure for me. My position was eliminated after the merger occurred and a "goodbye" to the team and members wasn't permitted. I walked out with my box as people unknowingly said, "See you tomorrow" and my heart broke as I walked out the door silently.

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Curt St. John - TSM Rochester

One Final "Goodbye" to the Rochester Area Family YMCA in Minnesota

I didn't realize how much I needed to say "goodbye" until I saw a video that Realty Growth Inc. posted on Instagram. Drone footage of the demolition was captured and shows the final moments of the building that served the community for almost 60 years.