MUNCIE, Ind. – Last spring, Muncie’s Northwest YMCA closed permanently to fully transfer to the new YMCA located by Muncie Central High School. For six months, the new YMCA has been up and running with new equipment, a spacious pool, a brand new sauna and so much more.
The YMCA staff has worked hard to engage with members, create relationships and build a loving community in the last six months.
“It's not just about the facility, it's about all the activities that happen within the facility and the people we get to serve and the relationships people are creating here and also achieving their goals,” Executive Director Gretchen Fields said.
The YMCA has also expanded the number of people they impacted. According to Fields, the new YMCA has tripled its membership from this time last year. They've had over 150,000 visits in the last six months, which is double what they had this time last year. She says the YMCA has also acquired 15,000 new units. Meaning 15,000 different families or individuals joined the YMCA family.
“We had a building in downtown previously, and a lot of people had to cancel their membership when we just had one building at Northwest, but now I am just starting to see all the old faces come back, so just having that tradition and having that heritage come back to the YMCA of Muncie," Paul Cigela, Sports and Recreation Director said.
This new YMCA has brought so many different kinds of people together, including personal trainers, new gym buddies and new relationships to fitness. The YMCA's growth in the last six months has been tremendous. They have created a new Child Care system that has two different spaces to include ages from six weeks old to 13. The YMCA has completely re-done the parking lot and asked for suggestions from its members on improvements to make.
“The Y is a place for everyone. We serve kids, we serve older adults, we have all kinds of programs. It's not just your typical gym and swim. Anywhere from bible studies to Live Strong Groups to Rock Steady Boxing, which is for Parkinson's patients. There is something for everyone at the Y,” Fields said.
The YMCA has shown growth in the last six months. They have truly built their space from the ground up, and we can all look forward to the YMCA furthering the development of their community over the course of the next six months.
Contact Stella Davis with comments at estella.davis@bsu.edu.
