EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — After serving El Paso’s Northeast community for more than six decades, the Bowling Family YMCA is set to close this spring.

The YMCA of El Paso announced that the Bowling Family YMCA, which has operated in the Northeast since 1959, will close effective May 15.

The closure follows the expiration of the YMCA’s lease with the City of El Paso, which owns the facility. The YMCA said it evaluated renewal options but determined continuing operations at the location was not financially sustainable because of the facility’s condition, location and associated costs.

This was not an easy decision,” said Gilda Gil, CEO of the YMCA of El Paso. “For generations, the Bowling Family YMCA has been more than a building. It has been a place where families connected, children grew, and community thrived. As we look to the future, we must ensure that our resources are invested in ways that allow us to sustainably serve the evolving needs of El Paso. Our commitment to the Northeast community remains strong, and we are actively working on new partnerships to continue programs and providing services in the area.

The Bowling Family YMCA will remain open through May 15 to allow members, staff and the community time to transition. A farewell and appreciation event is scheduled for May 12 as part of the YMCA of El Paso’s 140th anniversary celebration, honoring the branch’s decades of impact.

RECOMMENDED: El Paso ranks No. 2 best large U.S. city to live for 2025-26, U.S. News says

Members will be offered the opportunity to transfer their memberships to other YMCA locations, including the Fred & Maria Loya Family YMCA on the Eastside and the Westside Family YMCA. The YMCA said members who transfer will receive their first month free, and memberships will continue to provide access to facilities nationwide.

The YMCA said it is working to relocate key programs — including summer camp, after-school care and youth sports — to alternative locations within the Northeast to maintain continuity of service.

The YMCA also said it is committed to supporting staff during the transition, and current Bowling Family YMCA employees will be offered opportunities to interview for positions at other YMCA branches where available.

Founded in 1886, the YMCA of El Paso said it has served the community for 140 years and has continued to evolve to meet changing needs. “The Y has always adapted to serve where it is needed most,” Gil said. “This moment is about honoring our past while building a stronger, more sustainable future for our community.”

For more information about membership options or program updates, community members are encouraged to visit their local YMCA. Media contact: Michelle Combs at michelle.combs@elpasoymca.org.

Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.