John R. Grubb YMCA

04/10/2026

As old walls come down and new walls go up, the community built here endures. ❤️ The John R. Grubb YMCA shaped lives for more than 30 years, and the people who made it home are here to tell you why its legacy lives on.

03/17/2026

03/01/2026

The lights are out, the doors are locked, it's bittersweet the last day of the Grubb!
We finished our last Metro Basket League ever.
Thank you to our loyal employees, members and community groups. It truly has taken all of us to make this possible. The Grubb is all of us!!

02/05/2026

As we wind down operations at the Grubb, we want to thank our members and the community we've served for more than 30 years. To show our appreciation, we are opening the Grubb Y for free to the community for two weeks - Feb 9 through Feb 22.

Stop by, work out, see old friends and say goodbye to a place where thousands of Near Northside residents have found achievement, belonging and community.

Please note, nonmembers will need to check in and meet eligibility requirements, so be sure to bring a photo I.D. with you.

01/23/2026

Hoops are hot at the John R. Grubb Community YMCA!🔥🏀 The Metro Basketball League is in mid-season form with games playing 4 nights per week. Hear from Adam how this competition is impacting the hundreds of players across the Des Moines metro.

01/09/2026

After more than 30 years of serving the health and wellness needs of families in Des Moines’ Urban Core neighborhoods, the John R. Grubb Community YMCA will be closing its doors February 28 so the city can prepare the site for the opening of the new Reichardt Community Recreation Center.

Cameron Nicholson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and a former executive director of the Grubb Y, said the place members call “The Grubb” was a great fit for the neighborhood.

“The overwhelming feeling we have is one of pride,” Nicholson said, “Pride in all the staff, volunteers and members, past and present, who made the Grubb Y special for every person who walked in our door.”

https://www.dmymca.org/press-release/grubb-ymca-news-release

12/29/2025

To the Grubb Advisory Board, thank you for your sustained support over the years. We are honored to have worked and served with you.

12/23/2025

Merry Christmas and Happiest of Holidays from all of us here at the Y! Wishing you peace and joy this season. ✨

Don’t forget to give yourself the gift of a great workout! Here are our holiday branch schedules:

• Christmas Eve: Open until 12 PM, no Group Exercise classes or Kids Zone

• Christmas Day: All Locations Closed

• New Year’s Eve: Open until 12 PM

• New Year’s Day: Open 8 AM - 12 PM, Special class schedules, no Kids Zone

12/12/2025

Join our festive fitness challenge, the 12 days of Fitmas! Start today and head into the holidays feeling healthy and fit. 💪 Pick up a card tracker at our welcome desk.

12/11/2025

Due to inclement weather the Metro League has been canceled for this evening. Stay home and stay safe!!!

12/11/2025

Metro League basketball games will NOT play tonight due to weather conditions. Games will be made up at a later date during the season.