The Y provides opportunities for members and community participants of all ages to learn the sport of pickleball. Plus, throughout the month of April, enjoy free community open play hours at the Y Monday-Friday, 6:00-8:00 AM. The McGaw YMCA has become an indoor hub for the Evanston pickleball community since it first began offering the sport in 2020. During designated times, the courts in the Y’s Sebring-Lewis Center gym are full of longtime players and first-time pickleballers enjoying the country’s fastest growing sport.  Pickleball—which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis—has seen an explosion of popularity throughout Evanston and across the country. The YMCA has responded to the demand by dedicating more court time to pickleball and offering increased instructional opportunities for members and community participants. In November 2022, McGaw Y hosted its first Pickleball Tournament. Nearly 40 pickleballers from across the Chicago area and as far away as […]

On Sunday, March 12, McGaw YMCA hosted its first Indoor Triathlon for youth and adults. The McGaw YMCA celebrated its commitment to community health and well-being with its first Indoor Triathlon on March 12. More than 65 participants registered for the friendly competition triathlon, which was held entirely indoors. The format included separate heats for adults followed by a wave of heats for youth ages 11-18. Participants competed against each other during the multi-sport race consisting of a 10-minute swim in the pool, a 20-minute cycle on a stationary bike, and a 15-minute run on a treadmill. The triathlon’s adaptive format was designed to meet all fitness levels, making it a great opportunity for Y members and community participants alike to challenge themselves and try something new at their own pace. Throughout the event, family and friends cheered on racers to the “finish line” in the Sebring-Lewis Center gym, where finishers enjoyed healthy