Lansing Westside YMCA Renamed for Earvin “Magic” Johnson
As a Westside YMCA regular, I can't tell you how excited I am to share the latest news coming from the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing: The Westside is getting a new name and an expansion.
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Westside YMCA Gets a Magic New Name
The organization announced on August 25, 2026, that the facility will be renamed the Earvin "Magic" Johnson YMCA, in honor of the Lansing-born NBA and MSU icon. Though my workout will remain painfully ordinary, it's nice to know that the name outside now belongs to basketball royalty.
The big announcement came during the sold-out Legacy of Magic Gala, which drew more than 800 attendees and raised over $800,000 for YMCA scholarships and facility improvements. However, the Westside YMCA's new name was only one of the big announcements made that evening.
A new two-acre expansion is coming to the now Earvin "Magic" Johnson YMCA, including two new sports courts, two turf fields, an acre of green space, a new pavilion, and expanded youth programming. Already a jewel of the community, these improvements will make it tough to find a better place to get in shape and connect with the community.
When Lansing Will See the Changes
Site work is expected to begin this fall. A mural honoring Johnson and his family will be created by Lansing artist Dustin Hunt and is expected to be completed by June 2027. While there will certainly be some dust and caution tape to work around, the upgrades to the YMCA will be a welcome addition to an already stellar facility.
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