NEWBURYPORT — Ann White and Barbara Sanborn have missed the sense of community and the small circle of women they have grown close to over the years they have been YWCA members. Sarah Pike, now a professional chef, took her first cooking class there when she was 5 years old and is looking forward to getting her 17-month-old son Benjamin involved in the Y community.
The closure of the 124-year-old Y has disrupted social circles in Greater Newburyport of those who used to visit daily to swim.
There are countless stories and childhood memories of the YWCA, and on the eve of the "First Splash" reopening, the family health center is poised to continue to serve as a place memories are made.
After having been closed for more than a year while undergoing a $3.25 million renovation, the Y will reopen today.
"I'm looking forward to getting back," said White, who is in her 60s. "The feeling of the Y is much more of a community feel than paying for a sports facility and going to it to exercise and leave."
White of Byfield has been a member for more than 30 years, visiting each morning at 5:30 a.m. and swimming for more than an hour.
"It's a community center to go and enjoy seeing people, and you want to stay and talk after," White said.
Sanborn, 85, of Lawrence Street, has been swimming at the Y for more than 20 years, meeting a group of 10 other women and going to lunch at Giuseppe's after their workouts.
"I've missed it terribly," Sanborn said. "We have a little club, and all the women went on the same day and then went out to lunch. It's a big deal when you're a senior citizen that you have these things to do."
Over the years, Sanborn, a retired nursing assistant, has also taught small children how to swim in the pools, something she will continue to do this summer.
Sanborn met her group of friends earlier this week to discuss the new Y brochure and decide which new classes they would take next week.
"We want to try the classes out and see what we like," Sanborn said. "I'm personally just looking forward to a good hour's workout and get this body moving again."
While both White and Sanborn have watched their children and grandchildren learn to swim in the old Y pools, Pike remembers herself, a 4-year-old girl spending summer afternoons at the Y. Pike learned to swim there, taking swimming lessons and participating in the well-known "scamper camps."
"My grandmother worked at the Y for many years in the administrative office," Pike said. "I was involved in every program the Y offered and took my first cooking class there. I still have the typed cookbook."
Last month, Pike launched her own business called: "Good Tastes Kitchen," which offers home-cooked foods to Greater Newburyport homes by delivery.
Using locally grown foods, biodegradable containers and utensils made from materials such as corn and potato starch, part of Pike's mission is offering healthy alternatives to fast food for busy moms and families who want to eat healthy meals without the large bill or much time.
Pike, a fourth generation city resident, has come a long way since making pine cone bird feeders covered in peanut butter during her Y cooking class, but she still feels like she owes something to the organization.
"It was there I learned how to cultivate a love of cooking, and I went home and always wanted to cook," Pike said. "It's quite fitting Good Tastes is launching the same time the Y is reopening."
Coming full circle, Pike will host a free ice cream sundae table at tomorrow's event. Donations will be put toward YWCA programming.
"First Splash is like my coming out party," Pike said. "The Y is a great addition to town and it's a beautiful facility."
After closing last spring, the new Y facility boasts a modern lap pool and warm water pool, a group exercise room, a kids clubhouse, upgraded facilities, an art gallery and new entrances.
Last week, state and city officials gathered for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the 16,000-square-foot facility, which is being heralded as a health and wellness destination.
Tomorrow, the public will be able to tour the facility and receive information about memberships. Children's musician Peter Sheridan will perform at 11 a.m. followed by Itsy Bitsy Music. Crafts will be run by The Enchanted Learning Center. Refreshments will be served, and there will be a raffle. First Splash starts at 10 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m.
"I've been there a long time, and I support a lot of the Y's feelings about the community," White said. "The Y gives the chance to meet people from all walks to life and get the chance to know people you would not have met otherwise."
For more information on the YWCA, visit their Web site at www.ywcanewburyport.org. Information on Good Tastes is available on the Web site at www.good-tastes.com.
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