In 2004, a group of concerned citizens in Alexandria gathered to discuss local interest in bringing the YMCA to the Alexandria Area. Don Kerr, a consultant from YMCA of the USA, visited with local leaders and conducted a feasibility study to test potential support for the YMCA.

The results of the study indicated substantial interest and overwhelming support for the concept of a YMCA. A local Board of Directors was formed and a Founding Members Campaign initiated to raise $430,000, which would be used as start-up funds for a future YMCA. The funds were raised in a short period of time, and the Alexandria Area YMCA received its National Charter in 2006.

Jeff Bartholomew was then hired as the Executive Director, and began his responsibilities later that same year. The YMCA established a storefront in the community, and began youth and family programming in the fall of 2006. At the same time, a feasibility study was conducted to test community support for an $8,885,000 Capital Campaign that would construct a state-of-the-art program center. Community support was overwhelming, and the Capital Campaign began later in 2006 under the leadership of David Kjos, Vern Anderson and Larry Ortloff.

The "Complete the Dream" Capital Campaign took approximately 2 years to complete (to date $500,000 under goal) and on April 14, 2009, ground was broke on a 56,000 square foot program center. Planning began in earnest to hire full and part-time staff, initiate a charter membership campaign and develop a strong program base in anticipation of the Grand Opening of the YMCA. The YMCA opened the doors to the Maynard "Bud", Sylvia, Diana, Neil and Bruce Peterson Program Center on June 1, 2010.