In 1951 the Hamilton Area YMCA began to serve the community from various program sites such as schools and churches, and continues today.  The YMCA built a temporary facility 1984. Our current building, erected in 1991, occupies the same site as the original facility. The Hamilton Area YMCA houses a child care center, a babysitting room, a nautilus center, a free-weight room, a cardio health center, a gymnasium with a walking/running track, a multi-purpose room, locker rooms, administrative offices, and an indoor pool.
 
In 2002 we opened the doors to our Sawmill Day Camp—Recreation Center—Family Pool.  The concept: Hamilton Township residents can send their children to summer day camp in their own community, Hamilton.  The overall goal: provide Mercer county residents with a recreation outlet for the entire family.  In years past we offered day camp, but had to bus the children to neighboring counties.  The recreation center aspect of the Sawmill facility includes volleyball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, a low ropes course, playground, three pavilions, and an indoor gymnasium. The facilities, open to all Hamilton YMCA members, provides programs and services during nine months of the year when camp is not operating. The final aspect of the Sawmill facility is the Family Pool.  This special membership grants the member exclusive access to our outdoor pool with 100’ waterslide. 
 
In 2009, we completed a dramatic expansion to the original branch on Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd. and in doing so renamed the facility the John K Rafferty branch as a dedication to the longtime Mayor of Hamilton; one of the key leaders who built the original facility in 1991. This 23,000 sq ft expansion includes a partnership with Princeton Healthcare system who lease 8,000 ft. for Physical Therapy and Community Health Education. Today, this 52,000 sq ft YMCA facility serves over 14,000 members from Hamilton and throughout various regions of Mercer County.

We are a charitable association dedicated to building a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Part of a world-wide movement, we put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote good health, strong families, youth leadership, community development, and international understanding. YMCAs are open to men, women, and children of all ages, incomes, abilities, races, and religions. -YMCA Mission Statement