"We have one Metropolitan Library within Edmond's city limits, and it's the busiest in our state. And our Mitch Park YMCA is also the busiest of the 14 within the greater OKC metro area. We need more space because people are using the space."
That's Andy Conyers, Edmond's assistant city manager, speaking to Edmond Outlook ahead of the August 2024 groundbreaking. Two years later, his answer is nearly finished. It sits at 4701 E. 15th St., on the east side of I-35 next to Henderson Hills Baptist Church. The Kupiec East Edmond YMCA is set to open November 16, 2026, according to the YMCA's October profile in Edmond Outlook. The East Edmond Library shares the building and lists its opening only as November 2026.
Most coverage treats this as a new gym with a library attached. The planning record tells a different story. The building exists because Edmond's two busiest community spaces ran out of room. Its design adds to the library and YMCA routines Edmond already has rather than starting new ones.
A Second Library and a Third YMCA
Today Edmond has one Metro library and two YMCA locations. Conyers called them "well-loved and fully-utilized." The YMCA has been pre-selling memberships since September 1, and people who join before opening day can use Rankin and Mitch Park YMCAs in the meantime. For now, that sends new members to the existing branches. The new building takes them back once its doors open.
The facility is described as the first of its kind in Oklahoma. It grew out of a three-way partnership among the YMCA, the City of Edmond, and the Metropolitan Library System. Conyers framed it as part of a longer pattern: "We have had such success in the last 15 years with partnerships between our city, schools, and in this case, the YMCA. We find that when we pool our resources, our citizens get better spaces."
The building itself belongs to the city. In August 2024, The Journal Record reported that Edmond is responsible for the foundation, structural supports, roof, and parking lot, plus a share of major interior repairs over $5,000. The YMCA put $1.5 million toward construction and agreed to repay another $10.7 million through lease payments over 15 years. At the groundbreaking, KFOR reported the construction cost at $31.64 million.
How the Building Is Divided
Edmond Outlook's 2024 breakdown shows how the space was split among the three partners.
| Portion | Square footage | What's in it |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA | 52,974 | Recreational and lap pool, splash pad, full-size gym with track, open fitness areas, group exercise studios, child watch |
| Library | 12,317 | Print and digital collections, makerspace, public technology, programs for all ages |
| Shared | 6,607 | Entrance lobby and meeting rooms |
| Total | 71,989 |
The Journal Record gave a slightly different total of 71,600 square feet, but both outlets split the space the same way: a little under 53,000 for the YMCA and roughly 12,000 for the library. GH2 Architects, which designed the building, lists the pools, splash pad, gym with track, and child watch rooms on the YMCA side, plus a makerspace and a large multipurpose meeting room on the library side.
Some features are new to Edmond's YMCA lineup. The October profile names 24/7 access, a dry sauna, two group exercise studios, a universal and family locker room, a playground, and a dedicated youth space. The 2024 description said the facility would offer equipment and amenities similar to Mitch Park's. That fits the plan: a member could use either building for the same workout.
The Library Side Is Built for Quick Visits
The library has two features designed for patrons who don't want to park and walk in. Metro Library lists drive-through pickup and return, plus a holds locker in the lobby for picking up reserved items. Since the lobby is shared with the YMCA, someone on the way to a morning swim class can grab a held book from the locker without changing course.
For anyone who wants more than a pickup, the library offers multipurpose meeting spaces, public technology access, creative learning opportunities, and programs for all ages. Kelsey See has been hired as library manager and Danielle Riley as assistant library manager. Metro Library says new hires are training at other branches before the East Edmond location opens. The library's page also calls the area "one of Oklahoma County's fastest growing areas."
Hours, and When the Child Watch Room Is Open
Members with 24/7 access can come in any time. Staffed hours are when you'll find the front desk open and programs running. Here's the YMCA's published schedule for the new branch.
| Day | Staffed hours | Child Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 5 a.m.–9 p.m. | 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4:30–7:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 5 a.m.–9 p.m. | 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7 a.m.–5 p.m. | 8 a.m.–noon |
| Sunday | 1–6 p.m. | 1–5 p.m. |
Child Watch is open in two blocks on weekdays, morning and after work, with nothing midday. On Fridays, the evening block ends an hour earlier than the rest of the week. Anyone planning workouts around child care should build their week around those windows.
The branch phone number is (405) 348-9622, and questions go to [email protected].
A Wooded Hillside, Shared Parking, and a Trail Link Still to Come
GH2 describes the site as a wooded hillside, with a large playground, outdoor programming areas, and a public plaza around the building. The project team tried to keep as many trees as they could, and sharing parking with Henderson Hills helped. "Our partnership with Henderson Hills which allows us to share parking is helping us achieve that goal," Conyers said in 2024. Because some of the parking is shared, it's worth checking how the lots are laid out before your first visit on a weekend morning.
The trail connection is still on paper. GH2 says links to the public trail system are planned for the future. A January 2026 agenda packet from Edmond's bicycle committee describes a planned trail along the I-35 northbound frontage road. It would connect the YMCA and library to the Integris trailhead and is set to be bid with ODOT as part of a roadway project in federal fiscal year 2027. Until that's built, plan on driving to the building rather than biking there on a trail.
The timeline has moved before. The 2024 groundbreaking coverage expected about 18 months of construction and an opening in early 2026. The YMCA now lists November 16. No ribbon-cutting time or program had been posted as of early October, so check the YMCA and Metro Library pages before you go on opening day.
A November Calendar for Both Sides of I-35
The new building opens during one of Edmond's busier months. Here's a list in date order, mixing downtown events with the opening:
- November 7, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: The free International Festival at Festival Market Place, 26 W. First St.
- November 12, 5:30–7:30 p.m.: Deck the Downtown, also free, at Festival Market Place.
- November 16: The Kupiec East Edmond YMCA's reported opening day, with the library opening sometime in November.
- November 20 through January 1: Edmond Electric's Luminance at Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell, nightly from 5 to 10 p.m.
- November 26, 8 a.m.: The Edmond Turkey Trot downtown, with 5K and 1-mile options. Its Visit Edmond listing still said registration details were coming.
Visit Edmond notes that event details can change, so check its listings before you head out. Through October, the Outdoor Edmond Farmer's Market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Festival Market Place.
At Darian Woolbright, we keep track of new public buildings like this one because they change how Edmond homeowners spend an ordinary week. If you're wondering how a new community anchor near you could figure into your plans, Request a Private Listing Consultation and we'll go over it with you.
