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Plans call for the Y to relocate in January to the ground-floor of the MX building at Sixth and Locust streets. The currently vacant, 15,050-square-foot space will get fitness equipment, steam rooms, private showers and a hot yoga studio, plus an area for outdoor classes and gatherings.

Tim Helm, president and chief executive of the Gateway Region YMCA, said Tuesday the Y is leaving 1528 Locust because of deferred maintenance problems and other issues in space the organization has occupied since 1926. The downtown Y, which has about 1,400 members. The facility has the first three floors of a 10-story building, which is vacant and has separate ownership.

“The building we’re currently in is too large of a space for our membership size,� Helm said. “This moves us into a smaller space that is more appropriately sized for the number of members we have.�

Racquetball courts and a swimming pool are among the features at the current facility that won’t be available at the new MX Y.

YMCA operations at 1528 Locust will continue until the move. Parking at the new Y will be available on the street and in two nearby garages, Helm said.

Gateway Region Y has 24 branches. The Y had two downtown facilties until the Marquette Y, at 314 North Broadway, closed in 2012.

Tim Bryant of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this story.