It might be fun to stay at the YMCA, but it wasn't fun for a number of people on Wednesday to watch the iconic YMCA sign come down.

The sign that had been hanging at the intersection of 11th and Minnesota for 50 years was removed on Wednesday as construction nears an end at the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.

John Archer a Sioux Falls resident who has been a member of the YMCA since he was 5 years old admits it was an emotional day to watch the sign being removed.

“I’ve got a little bit of a tear in the eye because I’ve been going here for 50 years and seeing the sign, it's always been the point of reference.” according to Archer. He said, “We’d spend the whole day here, we couldn't wait until Saturday, where we'd come down to the YMCA."

Removing the sign was something that needed to be done according to Sioux Falls YMCA president Eric Tucker.

Tucker said, “The YMCA has a brand new logo and the logo is a fresh look. It was adopted in 2010. It speaks to where the "Y" is present day."

The legacy of the YMCA will live on with the new apartments being constructed, 52 units are being built at the downtown location.

The YMCA is getting back to its roots according to Tucker.

“Our start really began with housing, especially for men and individuals that could have been down on their luck, were moving, or they were going into the military and that was their housing before they started,” said Tucker.

Work on the YMCA housing apartments should be completed by April 15.

The Sioux Falls Family YMCA has no plans to replace the sign. But the 50-year old iconic sign will continue to live on out at the Leif Ericson YMCA Day Camp located in Southeastern Sioux Falls.

Source: KDLT TV

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5