Midland YMCA Receives $1M Gift for New Indoor Aquatic Center

Scharbauer Foundation donation kickstarts capital campaign for upgraded pool, social space

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Midland YMCA has launched a capital campaign to build a new indoor aquatic center, thanks to a $1 million gift from the Scharbauer Foundation. The expansion will feature a zero-entry pool, lap lanes, whirlpool, recreational slide, and upgraded wet areas, as well as a vibrant new social space.

Why it matters

The current YMCA pool is 70 years old and located on the second floor. The new first-floor facility will provide a modern, accessible aquatic center to better serve the Midland community's needs for family recreation, wellness programs, and social connection.

The details

The YMCA's A Better Place to Connect — Downtown Aquatic and Social Expansion campaign will transform the downtown facility. The new indoor pool will have a zero-entry design, lap lanes, whirlpool, and a recreational slide. The project will also create an expanded deck area for social seating. The YMCA says the upgrades are a direct response to a community needs assessment that identified demand for a family-friendly aquatic center.

  • The YMCA board of directors approved the capital project plan in November 2025.
  • The Scharbauer Foundation made its $1 million gift in February 2026 to kickstart the campaign.

The players

Midland YMCA

A community-based organization that provides youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs in Midland, Texas.

Scharbauer Foundation

A philanthropic organization that has long supported initiatives to promote opportunity and strengthen families in the Midland and Permian Basin region.

Christine Bearden

CEO of the Midland YMCA.

Mary Ann Beninati

CEO and President of the Scharbauer Foundation.

Elizabeth Harris-Jurado

Representative of the Midland YMCA.

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What they’re saying

“The Scharbauer Foundation has long been a catalyst for meaningful change in Midland and the Permian Basin, championing initiatives that promote opportunity, strengthen families and uplift the region. Their $1 million commitment not only propels this campaign forward but also affirms their belief in the YMCA's mission to serve the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

— Christine Bearden, CEO of the Midland YMCA (mrt.com)

“For decades, the YMCA of Midland has been a trusted resource for families, offering child care, wellness and recreational programs for all ages. Scharbauer Foundation is proud to support the YMCA's campaign to improve and expand its indoor pool area, ensuring the facility continues to serve future generations of Midlanders.”

— Mary Ann Beninati, CEO and President of the Scharbauer Foundation (mrt.com)

“We conducted a community needs assessment. Many families said they want an aquatic center where they can bring families and be together. We're listening to that need.”

— Elizabeth Harris-Jurado, Representative of the Midland YMCA (mrt.com)

What’s next

The YMCA plans to break ground on the new indoor aquatic center in the summer of 2026 and aims to complete construction by the end of 2027.

The takeaway

The Midland YMCA's expansion project, fueled by a major gift from the Scharbauer Foundation, demonstrates the organization's commitment to meeting the community's evolving needs for family-friendly recreation, wellness, and social connection through a modern, accessible aquatic facility.