Herbert C Young Community Center: Visitor Guide

Quick Guide: What Are You Visiting For?

Herbert C. Young Community Center Hours

These are the current hours published on Cary’s official Herbert C. Young facility page. Some older third-party directories show different evening hours or seasonal Sunday arrangements.

For a same-day visit, confirm the specific gym session, program or event with the Community Center desk at 919-460-4965.

Open Gym: Basketball, Pickleball, Badminton and Volleyball

Open Gym is scheduled time for residents, students and families to play pickup sports. The Town of Cary posts activity calendars separately from the building’s general hours.

The open-gym schedule is usually organized by month. The Town says schedules are generally posted around two weeks before a month begins and can change afterward.

How to Find Today’s Open Gym Session

1. Open Cary’s official Community Center Open Gym Schedules page.
2. Find the schedule for the current month.
3. Open the corresponding month’s PDF if one is available.
4. Locate the Herbert C. Young Community Center listing.
5. Identify the sport, age group and precise session time.
6. Review the required RecTrac waiver and admission category.
7. Call the Community Center if the calendar is missing, has changed or shows a session near capacity.
8. Arrive with appropriate indoor shoes, identification and a payment method or valid pass.

For a general explanation of why open-gym schedules, building hours and drop-in admission are separate, read our community recreation center planning guide.

Open Gym Fees: Residents and Non-Residents

Cary publishes single-session prices for its community-center open-gym activities.

The Town also offers punch-pass options and an annual youth/senior pass. Ask the front desk for the current pass price and whether the number of planned visits makes it a better option than individual admission.

Open-gym passes are described as expiring one year after purchase. Current participants and new visitors should log in through Cary’s registration system to update required waivers.

What to Bring for Open Gym

• Suitable athletic clothing and non-marking indoor footwear.
• Water bottle.
• Valid identification if needed for account or resident-rate verification.
• Completed participant waiver.
• Payment method or valid open-gym pass.
• Parent or guardian information for a minor.

Admission does not automatically guarantee court access after a session reaches capacity. Do not assume a paid pass overrides the posted sport schedule.

To compare how another public center separates open recreation from pool and other program schedules, see the Matt Dishman Community Center drop-in and activity guide.

Coach Kay Yow Court and Other Facilities

Herbert C. Young Community Center opened in 1991 as Cary’s first dedicated community and recreation facility. Its gymnasium is named in honor of former North Carolina State University women’s basketball coach Kay Yow.

Programs, Classes and Youth Camps

Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department offers rotating classes, activities and camps through its facilities.

At Herbert Young, program offerings can include youth recreation, fitness and activity classes, basketball and pickleball activities, special events and seasonal camps.

Camp options across Cary’s recreation program include summer, track-out and teacher workday offerings. The age range, facility, registration fee and dates depend on the camp listing.

How to Register for a Class or Camp

1. Open the Herbert C. Young official facility page.
2. Follow the Program Registration or Current Program Offerings link.
3. Sign in to Cary’s RecTrac registration portal.
4. Create a household account if you are a new participant.
5. Search for the activity name or Herbert C. Young location.
6. Select the class, sport or camp session.
7. Review dates, age rules, price, remaining spaces and resident requirements.
8. Add the correct participant and complete any forms or waivers.
9. Pay through the authorized Town of Cary registration system.
10. Save the receipt, location information and activity instructions.

Room Rentals: Cardinal Room, Eagle Room and Kitchen

Herbert C. Young Community Center has reservable indoor spaces. Cary’s current reservation page directs users to RecTrac, where facility details, permit requests, rates and booking requirements are shown.

Current reservation example: the Eagle Room’s official online facility listing displays a basic hourly rate of $87 for Cary residents and $131 for non-residents, subject to the fee and permit terms shown at checkout.

A $200 standard room damage deposit is listed. Separate charges and deposit conditions may apply where beer and wine are permitted under the approved reservation rules.

The Town’s official rental information and its historical fee documents are not always identical. Use the live facility listing and approved contract for the amount actually due, rather than relying on older pricing tables.

How Far Ahead Can You Reserve?

The live Eagle Room facility listing states:

• Cary residents may request a reservation within 90 days before the event.
• Non-residents may request within 60 days.
• Room rental requests must be submitted at least 7 days ahead.
• A minimum two-hour rental is required.
• The renter must be 21 or older.
• A permit request is not an approved reservation until staff confirms it and payment requirements are completed.

For another example of municipal room, gym and event-reservation rules, see our Southeast Community Center rental guide. Its Nashville prices and procedures are not applicable to Cary.

How to Request a Herbert C. Young Room Reservation

1. Select your room. Choose Cardinal Room, Eagle Room or another currently reservable area that fits your guest count and purpose.
2. Check the date range. Confirm whether your requested date falls inside the eligible advance-booking window.
3. Prepare event details. Have the event type, estimated attendance, start and end times, setup needs and alternate dates ready.
4. Open Cary’s Community Center Reservations page. Follow the RecTrac room request process.
5. Sign in to RecTrac. Use the account of the person responsible for the reservation.
6. Find the space. Check published availability, capacity, minimum hours and rate.
7. Submit the request. Complete required information and any additional permit conditions.
8. Wait for staff review. Cary says a community-center representative will contact you and provide a contract.
9. Review payment and deposit terms. Confirm the exact amount before signing.
10. Keep the final confirmation. Do not announce the venue as secured until the Town confirms the reservation.

Cancellation, Deposits and Important Rental Rules

Cary’s Community Center Reservations policy includes several important conditions:

• Standard rental deposits are returned after the event, minus any applicable damage or additional charges.
• Credit-card deposit refunds may take approximately 3–4 business days.
• Check deposits may take approximately 1–2 weeks to be returned.
• Written cancellations at least 30 days in advance can generally be made without rental-fee liability under the published policy.
• Cancellation within 30 days results in loss of the reservation deposit.
• Changing the event date within 30 days counts as a cancellation.
• Within seven days of scheduled use, rental charges can remain payable in full under the City’s policy.
• Large commercial vehicles, food trucks, game trucks and DJs require prior approval.
• Private admission charges, ticket sales and collection of funds are prohibited under the general community-center reservation rules.

Accessibility and Visitor Accommodations

The Town of Cary publishes a dedicated accessibility page for Herbert C. Young Community Center.

If you require an accessible entrance, accommodation or assistance moving between levels, review the Town’s official accessibility information or contact the facility before your visit.

Address, Map, Parking and Directions

Use 101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513 in your navigation app. Herbert Young is one of Cary’s municipal community centers and is separate from Bond Park Community Center, Middle Creek Community Center and Cary Senior Center.

For private events, direct guests to the exact entrance and room described in the booking confirmation. Large gatherings may have additional setup or parking arrangements.

Other Cary Community Centers: Which One Should You Choose?

All facilities have their own opening hours and activity calendars. A sport available at Bond Park this week may not be scheduled at Herbert Young at the same time.

For an example of a larger recreation facility with gym, pool, climbing and fitness spaces, read our Roger Carter Community Center visitor guide. It is a separate Maryland facility, but helpful for comparing what amenities to check before choosing a recreation center.

Before You Go: Practical Checklist

• Confirm the official building hours.
• Check the current sport or class calendar.
• Verify the required age category and participation waiver.
• Bring a valid payment method or open-gym pass.
• Carry suitable indoor athletic shoes for gym use.
• Check whether a class or camp requires advance registration.
• Ask about capacity restrictions if arriving for a popular session.
• For a rental, get staff approval and a completed contract.
• Do not assume the gym is available for banquet use.
• For accessibility requirements, contact staff in advance.

Official Sources and Visitor Resources

• Town of Cary — Herbert C. Young Facility Page
• Current Open Gym Schedules, Fees and Rules
• Community Center Rental Policies and Reservations
• Official Cary Recreation Registration System
• Official Accessibility and Accommodation Information
• Other Cary Community Centers and Recreation Facilities
• Park Picnic Shelter Reservation Options

This is an independent visitor guide, not the Town of Cary’s official website. Confirm current schedules, prices, permits and facility availability before traveling, registering or making a payment.