PROJECTS

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YMCA of Natrona County

Casper, Wyoming

Building Community Through Wellness

The YMCA of Natrona County in Casper, Wyoming, is a transformative community facility that replaces the organization’s outdated 1960s building, providing a modern hub for health, wellness, and social engagement. Delivered in two phases, the new facility includes a wellness center, fitness studio, flexible field house with an elevated running track, drop-in daycare, aquatics center, expanded locker rooms, members’ lounge, and administrative offices. The design accommodates both current programming needs and future growth, establishing a vibrant focal point for the greater Natrona County community.

Following completion, the impact of the new facility was immediate, with membership revenue increasing 111% from 2016 to 2017, reflecting the strong community response to a well-designed, modern facility that significantly expanded access and engagement.

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Size

37,830 SF

Scope

New Construction

Achievements

+111% Revenue Growth
+52% Membership Growth in One Year
80%+ Growth Since Planning Baseline
28% Growth in First Month of Opening

Designing Energy and Connection

The design was driven by the YMCA’s mission to foster family-focused, community-centered experiences. Interior and exterior spaces utilize a bright and bold color palette to create an energetic and welcoming environment, while the central control desk ensures visibility and safety throughout the facility. The triangular site, with a 30-foot grade differential, inspired creative massing and circulation strategies, ensuring all program areas are accessible and well-integrated. MOA ARCHITECTURE collaborated closely with Barker Rinker Seacat, a specialist in recreation architecture, to ensure the facility supports diverse wellness, sports, and childcare programs for the community.

Measurable Impact and Community Growth

The YMCA of Natrona County, completed in December 2016, quickly demonstrated the powerful impact of investing in modern, community-centered facilities. Grounded in the 2013 Four Square Study, which projected approximately 30% membership growth, the new facility significantly outperformed expectations in both participation and financial performance.

By the end of the first full year of operation in 2017, membership units increased from 1,171 to 1,781, representing a 52% increase. Total membership grew from 3,039 to 4,862 over the same period, reflecting strong community adoption of the new facility. Notably, within the first month of opening in January 2017, membership units increased by 28%, signaling immediate and sustained engagement.

This growth was matched by substantial financial impact, with membership revenue reflecting a 111% increase.

When measured against the 2013 baseline of 980 membership units, the YMCA achieved more than 80% growth by 2017, more than doubling the anticipated trajectory outlined in early planning studies.

Together, these outcomes demonstrate that investing in a new, thoughtfully designed and modern facility delivered immediate and measurable returns for both the YMCA and the broader Natrona County community. The strong and rapid growth in participation and revenue reflects not only increased utilization of the building, but also the impact of a well-conceived design that supports accessibility, visibility, and a wide range of programs. The project quickly reestablished the YMCA as a central gathering place, showing how a carefully planned and executed facility can elevate daily experience, strengthen engagement, and reinforce long-term community value.