Morgan's and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio have officially broken ground on an "ultra-accessible" Hartman Family YMCA at Morgan's Longhorn Quarry campus, a new fitness center built so people of all abilities can work out side by side using the same equipment and programs. The facility is planned for David Edwards Drive, across from Morgan's Sports complex, and aims to knock down long-standing barriers that have kept many residents with disabilities out of traditional gyms. Site work is set to begin soon, with an opening targeted for late 2026.
Gordon Hartman, Morgan's founder and board chair, said in a press release via PR Newswire that "our vision is to create a fitness environment where no one feels left out." YMCA of Greater San Antonio CEO Louis Lopez added that the center will include "specialized fitness equipment" so "individuals with disabilities" and other members can reach their health goals, according to the release.
Where the center will sit
The Hartman Family YMCA will be built and owned by Morgan's on its Longhorn Quarry campus, directly across from the Morgan's Sports complex, which already features adaptive fields and programs. The Morgan's campus, home to Morgan's Wonderland and other inclusion-focused projects, has long been a local hub for accessible recreation, as detailed by Morgan's Wonderland. Organizers say the new YMCA is expected to serve as a key anchor for that growing cluster of accessible facilities.
What the center will offer
Officials say the facility will feature both group and individual exercise options across a wide range of activity levels, along with specialized, adaptive equipment so people who use mobility devices or need modified machines can work out safely and comfortably. The announcement describes the center as a learning partnership between Morgan's and the YMCA, intended to explore what true inclusivity in fitness looks like and to help normalize adaptive options in community gyms.
Why accessibility matters
Organizers point to persistent barriers that keep many people with disabilities out of regular exercise. According to CultureMap San Antonio, a University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute study found that only about 40 percent of the disabled community engages in regular exercise, a gap often tied to limited access to adaptive equipment and the high cost of at-home devices. CultureMap also notes that Medicaid rarely covers exercise equipment, underscoring the role that public and nonprofit facilities can play in expanding access.
Timeline and next steps
Site preparation is expected to start soon, with construction projected to wrap up in late 2026. The YMCA says the Hartman Family YMCA will become one of 12 YMCA locations in the Greater San Antonio area as the organization approaches its 150th anniversary in 2026, per the announcement via PR Newswire. Officials have not yet released membership pricing or detailed program schedules, saying those specifics will roll out as the project moves forward.
Local disability advocates and recreation leaders say the project could serve as a meaningful model for other cities if it follows through on promises of universal design and affordable programming. For now, the partnership marks a high-profile step toward making fitness spaces in San Antonio more welcoming to everyone.
