Maidstone YMCA's orgins can be traced back to back to a public meeting at the Town Hall January 15th 1855, where
the Maidstone Church of England Young Men's Society was Formed.
In June 1879 the Society bought the Plot of
Land in Union Street which was to become the Church Institute Building at the same time the Society Changed it's name
to Maidstone Church Institute.
In 1935 the Church Institute invited the YMCA to become involved with the running
of Institue Building, Again this involved a name change to Maidstone Church Institute and YMCA.
In 1965 the Building
in Union street was Sold to Littlewoods stores and the proceeds were used to build the Sportscentre at Melrose Close in Loose.
In
1972 the Church Institute was wound up and Maidstone YMCA became solely Maidstone YMCA
The Future
In
2002 faced with a Old building and lack of funds, The YMCA closed it's doors as a Public Sportscentre, However this was
not the end.
In the near future a new YMCA will rise from the ashes of the old on the Loose site, This will be financed
by selling part of the playing fields at Loose.
At the Present the old building is still avalible for private hire
and still has a thriving Pre- School.
Look around the Website to see what we still do or Pop in during working hours
to reminise or look round.
Update
The Sportscentre has Now Closed pending the Redevelopment.
Vistors to the Former Sports centre site, will now see the beginings of the Housing devolpement of the old football pitches,
Part of the Old sportshall is still currently standing, but will soon be demolished.
Once the Flats have been completed
work should press on with the new Sportscentre.
Shortly a copy of the plans and pictures of the development will
be avalible on the website
