Alvernia, Schuylkill YMCA cut ribbon on new gymnastics facility

Completion of Phases I & II of Pottsville CollegeTowne brings total investment in downtown Pottsville to $8 million

Alvernia University, Schuylkill YMCA, and Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) celebrated the ribbon cutting for phase II of the Pottsville CollegeTowne project, marking the completion of a new community-focused expansion at 500 Progress Ave. This project transformed more than 8,000 square feet into the new Schuylkill YMCA gymnastics facility.

“Pottsville CollegeTowne represents the incredible possibilities that arise when innovation, collaboration and community spirit align,” said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “Today’s ribbon cutting reflects our shared commitment to creating spaces that support wellness, opportunity and connection for Pottsville families and for the students who learn and serve here.”

The expansion was originally announced as a $2.2 million collaboration expected to double YMCA gymnastics participation from 75 to 150 youth while also supporting job creation and new food and beverage activity downtown. Phase II builds on the momentum of phase I, which opened in January 2023 as a 17,000-square-foot academic and community space featuring classrooms, a wet lab and a computer lab with the Bloomberg Terminal, along with community meeting and gathering areas. The completion of both phases represents an $8 million investment in downtown Pottsville.

Across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, independent colleges and universities like Alvernia are part of a $24 billion economic impact, and they return $148 to the economy for every $1 of state investment. In addition to the YMCA partnership, Pottsville CollegeTowne continues to support entrepreneurship and small business growth through the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and ongoing community collaborations. Furthermore, In October, PADCO and the university also debuted the Launch Pottsville III competition, a food innovation-focused initiative designed to activate Alvernia’s kitchen space at 500 Progress Ave. and ultimately strengthen downtown revitalization by investing in entrepreneurs and energizing the local business community.

Pottsville CollegeTowne is part of Alvernia’s CollegeTowne strategy, a model for community revitalization that aligns academic expansion with economic development and community engagement. Alvernia launched the CollegeTowne initiative in Reading in late 2019. Since its launch, Alvernia has completed two phases of Reading CollegeTowne, investing $43 million into the City of Reading by purchasing and renovating the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, a 250,000-square-foot living and learning facility at 401 Penn Street. The university also recently announced the groundbreaking of the American House at Reading CollegeTowne, which will invest another $23 million into downtown Reading.