Rutherford College YMCA Brings 24/7 Wellness Access to the Community
(SEPTEMBER 2026) - Access to convenient wellness resources is coming to eastern Burke County as the YMCA of Catawba Valley prepares to open the new Rutherford College YMCA, a 24/7 wellness site designed to bring health and well-being resources directly to the community.
Located in Rutherford College at 721 Malcolm Blvd, directly across from UNC Health Blue Ridge - Valdese, the new YMCA sits along one of eastern Burke County's most well-traveled corridors. Positioned across from the hospital along a route traveled by 13,000 individuals daily, the site ensures health resources are easily accessible on daily commutes.
The YMCA identified a way to expand access to dedicated wellness opportunities in this community and is responding with a facility intentionally designed around the way people live today.
“This project is about much more than opening another fitness facility,” said Blake Millinor, of Valdese Weavers. “We saw an opportunity to partner with the YMCA to bring convenient, high-quality wellness resources closer to where people live, work and travel. The Rutherford College YMCA is an investment in this community and a great example of what can happen when local partners come together to create greater access to health and wellness. We’re proud to be part of bringing this vision to life.”
A YMCA Built to Fit Into Community Life
The Rutherford College YMCA is being purposefully designed as a 24/7 wellness site, recognizing that there is no single schedule that works for everyone.
Early-morning exercisers, working families, commuters, shift workers and people traveling between communities will have the flexibility to access the facility when it works for them—without having to rearrange their lives around traditional facility hours.
The wellness site will feature cardio machines, selectorized strength equipment, free weights and more, giving community members a variety of options to pursue their individual health and wellness goals.
Strengthening Wellness Access Across Burke County
As the YMCA continues to strengthen and reimagine the traditional full-facility YMCA experience at Phifer Family YMCA in Morganton, the Rutherford College YMCA will provide a complementary model: a modern, highly accessible 24/7 wellness presence serving eastern Burke County.
Together, these locations represent a unified approach to preventive health—creating more opportunities for people throughout the region to access resources that support healthy living, connection and overall well-being.
“The future of the Y in Burke County is about meeting people where they are,” said Drew Thomas, of UNC Health Blue Ridge. “Phifer and Rutherford College will serve different roles, but they share the same purpose: helping people and communities thrive. We are excited about what these investments mean for the future of health and wellness across Burke County.”
Be One of the First 50 Founding Members
Community members will also have an opportunity to become part of the Rutherford College YMCA from the very beginning through an exclusive Founder Membership opportunity.
The first 50 members who join the Rutherford College YMCA as Founding Members will receive:
- Early access to the new wellness site
- A special first-year membership discount
- Exclusive Founder items
- Additional Founding Member benefits to be announced
Community members interested in the Rutherford College YMCA are encouraged to visit YMCA of Catawba Valley's Rutherford College YMCA webpage and complete the interest form. Those who submit the form will receive up-to-date information and be among the first to know when memberships become available.
Membership will be available online, making it easy for community members to take the first step toward becoming part of the new Rutherford College YMCA.
To learn more about YMCA programs, community impact, or ways to get involved, visit www.ymcacv.org.
Media Contact: Margaret Ann Graffagnino: margaretanng@ymcacv.org
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YMCA OF CATAWBA VALLEY
The YMCA of Catawba Valley was established in 1969 to strengthen our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The Y mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. www.ymcacv.org.