Downtown Waukegan Y opening Tuesday

WAUKEGAN -- The Northern Lake YMCA will formally return to its downtown roots Tuesday with a long-delayed -- but much anticipated -- grand opening of the Y's new state-of-the-art health and wellness center.

The new center occupies rented space in a portion of the first floor at the original YMCA building, 200 N. County St. The public is invited to the celebration, which will begin at 10 a.m.

YMCA officials had expected the center to open in January, but permit and occupancy issues delayed the festivities.

The old Y building, vacant since the mid-1980s, is expected to boost to downtown redevelopment efforts.

The Northern Lake Branch of the Lake County Family YMCA will continue to have its main facility at 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan.