January 2026 

For sixty-five years, Sweet Memorial has been where guests at Estes Park Center begin. It is where families gather to check out games, sign up for activities, and talk through the week ahead with YMCA staff who know the programs and trails by heart. It is one of the first buildings guests enter — and one of the ones they remember longest. 

"When our children were young, Sweet Memorial was at the center of our visits as we planned hikes, checked out games and puzzles, and discussed available outdoor activities with an amazing staff. As Cindy and I considered how we, together with the Morriss Family Foundation, could help the Estes Park campus further fulfill its mission, the choice of supporting the Sweet Memorial project seemed a natural one.” 

— Jim Morriss, Lead Donor 

Thanks to the leadership support of the Morriss Family and ten additional YMCA supporters, the $665,000 Sweet Memorial Program Building renovation is now fully funded and underway. The renovated facility will feature refinished floors, a lofted ceiling, updated and accessible bathrooms, new furnishings, a welcoming front porch, and all-new game room equipment — preserving everything that has made Sweet Memorial beloved while making it more welcoming, accessible, and ready for the next sixty-five years. 

"Sweet Memorial has always been more than a building — it's where guests start their adventures, connect with one another, and feel the heart of YMCA of the Rockies." 

— Susan Taylor, Program Director 

The building is named in honor of William Sweet, an early YMCA of the Rockies board member, Estes Park Center site selector, and former Governor of Colorado. The renovated Sweet Memorial is expected to reopen by Memorial Day 2026.