Des Moines’s downtown skyline looks a little bit different now. The old riverfront YMCA came to a fiery end when it was imploded early Sunday morning.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered on both sides of the Des Moines River to watch, though some would-be spectators missed what’s being called "YMAGEDDON." Explosives were set off a little after 7:00 am, or about 10 minutes earlier than expected.
In January the YMCA of Greater Des Moines opened a new gym three blocks away from the 58-year-old structure. No word yet on what will be built on the now empty lot, though city officials hope for housing.