Celebrating the “Y’s” long history

On Tuesday, May 14 the Foothills Area YMCA invites you to celebrate the 125th Anniversary with an event at Holtzendorff Hall on Clemson University’s Campus. The event will be from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM and will commemorate the history of the Foothills Area YMCA and the future going forward with the construction of the new facility. Join us for drinks, hors d’ oeuvres, and a historic celebration. In 1916, when Holtzendorff Hall was completed, it became home to the YMCA. The building is named after Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr. (known as “Mr. Holtzy”) who served as assistant secretary and general secretary of the “Y”. The construction of the building was funded by John D. Rockefeller and other generous community members. Holtzendorff Hall was designed by Rudolph E. Lee, an 1896 graduate and Dean of Agriculture at Clemson University. The new YMCA building was equipped with a secret society room, literary society room, auditorium, moving picture booth, bathrooms, swimming pool, bowling alley, fountain and store, cafeteria, kitchen, gymnasium, publication rooms, cabinet room, and other interesting features. Today the building contains a classroom and offices and is primarily used by the College of Engineering and Science. In the 1970s the YMCA moved many of its programs to the Y Barn that was located at Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Center, also known as Y Beach. Y Beach held events such as dances, camps, barbeques, and other community events.  Moving forward, a new Foothills Area YMCA is being built near the Oconee Memorial Hospital. It will be a 33,000 square foot facility. When the project opens at the beginning of 2020, the community will benefit from an expansion of fitness and sports programs offered for youth, seniors, and families, childcare services, swim lessons, water fitness, and swim teams. This project will open 50 employment opportunities for full time and part time positions at the new facility. “The Foothills Area YMCA has a proud heritage formed on the campus of Clemson University in 1894. For 125 years, the Y has served thousands of children and families in Clemson, Central and Oconee County, providing programs and resources that help to strengthen our community. The event will be a celebration of our past, our present and glimpse into our future.”
– Christle Ross, CEO FOOTHILLS AREA YMCA