NEWBURYPORT — Just a little more than a year after the YWCA closed for a $3.25 million renovation, the new facility is almost ready to open its doors.
"People are waiting with bated breath for the opening," said Ilene Harnch-Grady, health and wellness director. "This is truly a family wellness center for the community."
With the warm water pool filled earlier this week and much of the painting done, the YWCA is in the home stretch before the ribbon-cutting slated for May 19. The Y will host a number of opening events at its Market Street complex, such as "first splash" on May 31 before it is open to the public on June 1.
The closure of the 124-year-old Y has disrupted social circles in the Greater Newburyport area of those who used to visit daily to swim, Harnch-Grady said. The Y staff has been hearing regularly from old members eager to return to the pool.
"We hope those who used to use the aquatic facility will now also transition into land fitness as well," Harnch-Grady said.
The 16,000-square-foot facility will make the Y a health and wellness destination in the city and surrounding communities with a new weight and fitness center, studio space, modern four-lap and warm water pools, as well as a "kids club house" for projects and activities geared toward children ages 4 and up.
Last April, the Y closed its doors to embark on the renovations, the design of which relied on the community's input.
Sarah Holden of Fishbone Project Managers is serving as the Y's representative on the construction project.
"We have been bringing people on so many tours of the facility," she said. "It's very exciting every time."
Little detail has been left out of the facility's new layout.
A new entrance on Titcomb Street boasts additional parking and a drop-off area for parents. Family locker rooms are available for mothers who are bringing their sons to the Y. There's even an art gallery that connects patrons from the Titcomb Street entrance to the reception area.
Glass windows open to the weight room, and as a first for the Y, the facility will be handicapped-accessible with a ramp at the Market Street entrance and an elevator that will also connect the wellness center with the women's housing on the other side of the building.
But equipment and facilities are not the only new additions to the Y. Lisa Arakelian will now serve as the head of aquatics, and Lisa Rose is the new membership and marketing manager.
"We want people to understand our dedication to offering quality after-school child care, affordable housing for women and families, summer programs, racial justice initiatives, and leadership for teens has not changed," Rose said. "Our partnerships with the community will be ongoing."
Partnerships with Anna Jaques Hospital are already in the works. The hospital will use the warm water pool for physical therapy and arthritis treatment.
Aqua arthritis, Pilates and yoga classes are in the works for the warm-water pool, as well as warm-water pool rentals for area physicians who would like to use it for physical therapy for their patients.
"Our goal right now is to get the doors open and pave the way," Harnch-Grady said. "We will be reaching out to the community and creating liaisons as we have the capacity to offer different types of programs now."
Arakelian also anticipates more time for older and younger children to swim simultaneously to accommodate parents with children of different ages.
While the schedule of classes and activities will be scaled down throughout the summer, Arakelian is confident the Y will be offering new programs within the coming months that will bring more families into the Y.
Currently, the Y has a satellite location, where they are accepting membership applications at 10 State St., next to the Life is Good store.
"We already have had quite a few memberships," Rose said. "It's getting the word out we are here and ready to open."
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What you can register for at 10 State St.
r Scamper Camp - Morning camp for 3-year-olds to kindergarten age at the Y
r School's Out Program - Entering first grade to entering fourth grade at the Bresnahan
r Spring Youth Programs - Indoor soccer and kids in motion ages 3 to 6 at PITA Hall
r All memberships - family, individual, youth, teen, senior, optimal wellness plans, aqua fitness center plans, one-month plans, member facility access and guest passes
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Grand Reopening
r Ribbon cutting, May 19, 4 p.m.
r First Splash, May 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - celebrate the grand opening with a number of events
r Public opening, June 1
