CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Sept. 14, 2026) - The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga celebrated the completion of a $5 million renovation at the Cleveland Family YMCA on Monday while announcing the facility will be renamed the Ocoee Foundation YMCA. It is in recognition of a historic $2.5 million gift from the Sheehan Family and the Ocoee Foundation.
“Thank you to our donors, staff and volunteers, who are investing in better health, more opportunities for children and families and a stronger future for all of us,” said Baron Herdelin-Doherty, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. “The Ocoee Foundation YMCA shows us what the next chapter of YMCA service can look like. This is a place that can serve Cleveland for now, for the next 25 years and beyond.”
The project includes a new Wellness Center, Pickleball Center, renovated indoor pool, refreshed group exercise studios, new Child Watch and Youth Activity Center spaces, upgraded playgrounds, improvements to the indoor track and basketball gym, and a paved outdoor track. It also features new outdoor fitness spaces and added programs like HYROX.
The new name honors the Sheehan family and the Ocoee Foundation for their historic gift, the largest donation in the history of the Cleveland YMCA and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga.
“We're honored to name the Y after the Ocoee Foundation. This renovation would not have been possible without the entire community's support,” said John Sheehan, founder of the Ocoee Foundation and chair of the Cleveland Y’s Capital Campaign. “We're not done. Next month, [we] will begin the renovation of the locker rooms, and we need your support to fund this project. I hope the community will rise to the occasion to help make this happen.”
The YMCA broke ground on the renovation in July 2025 and remained open throughout construction as improvements were completed in phases. The renovated facility expands opportunities for health, youth development and community connection for Cleveland-area families. It is the second capital project under the YMCA’s five-year strategic plan, “Vision 2028: Let’s Grow,” following the renovation of the J.A. Henry Y.
Phase one of the Ocoee Foundation YMCA renovation is complete, with fundraising continuing for future improvements, including renovations to the men’s and women’s locker rooms.
The renovation would not be possible without the generous support of American Custom Manufacturing, Bank of Cleveland, Chris Beckstrand, Sharon Brown, Builtwell Bank, Caldwell Paving, Choice Data Foundation, Church of God International, Clint Davis, Delta Dental, Easy Auto, Eaton Electrical, William Emendorfer, Gray Epperson, Farley Family Trust, First Horizon Foundation, Bill & Nancy Frey, GenTech Construction, George R. Johnson Family Foundation, Mara Grisham, Terry & Sandy Henry, Carolyn Jackson, JHM CPAs, The Lambert Family, Logan-Thompson Attorneys At Law, Malnati Family Foundation, Ed & Rebecca McIntire, Debbie Melton, The Moore Family, Rodney & Pamela Murray, David & Angela Neblett, Ocoee Foundation, Inc., Don Ritzhaupt, Arthur Rhodes, RMR Legal, Rachel Savage, Margaret & John Sheehan, Senior Insurance Solutions, Trinity Foundation International and Wright Brothers Construction.
For more information, visit https://www.clevelandtnymca.org.
About the Y
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a leading nonprofit serving 71,436 members and program participants across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. The Y has eight facilities, two preschool centers, 84 program sites, 1,000 team members and a $25M annual operating budget. Its mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. For more info, visit www.ymcachattanooga.org or ymca.org or follow the Y on social media: Facebook@ChattanoogaYMCA, Instagram @ymcachattanooga or LinkedIn @ymca-of-metropolitan-chattanooga.