Brief History of the North Canton YMCA

The North Canton Community Building YMCA was established  on February 18, 1923 as a gift to the community by W. H. "Boss" Hoover.  The original building was built to make North Canton a better place to live.  It was dedicated to the “Physical and Spiritual Welfare of the People of North Canton and Vicinity” .

At its founding the Community Building became a branch of the Canton Area YMCA.  Since it was established for the enjoyment of all citizens, it
functioned as one of the first family YMCAs in the United States.  Our YMCA is the largest in Stark County, and one of the largest in Ohio.

The current building was opened in 1970 as a gift to the Community from the Harley C. and Mary Hoover Price Foundation and The Hoover Foundation.  The first major addition was opened in 1982 and included a gym, track, and women's locker room.  In 2002, the Y completed its second major addition opening a state of the art Wellness Center with new lobby and main entrance.  Since that addition,
the branch has been working diligently to make continuous facility upgrades,
including the 2008 complete locker room renovation.

The North Canton YMCA does not limit its programs and services to its main building.  It also currently leases three additional sites.  The Infant-Toddler Center, Child Care Center, and Gymnastics Center all provide major program thrusts in the Community. The YMCA has acquired the property at the corner of North Main and Charlotte Streets.  Following a complete renovation
of that property, we will be consolidating our child care operations and
opening the North Canton YMCA Child Development Center in late summer of 2013.

This allows the North Canton YMCA to touch the lives of almost 20,000 people every year, thus continuing a very unique tradition of service to our Community. 
As we live our mission every day, we continue to focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.