The Greater Holyoke Y has proudly served the community since 1886. The world’s second most played sport – volleyball – was invented in 1895 at the Greater Holyoke Y by William Morgan. There’s a detailed history of Volleyball’s creation and early evolution on the International Volleyball Federation Website (FIVB).

The Greater Holyoke Y was first located at the corner of Appleton and High Streets in downtown Holyoke. The site included a gym and rooms for rent. Unfortunately the building was lost to fire in 1943.

In 1950, a second building was completed at the corner of Appleton and Beech streets, also downtown.  This has been our home ever since. The Y has significantly expanded the site’s original footprint twice, most recently adding our beautiful 25-yard 8 lane pool.