NEWBURYPORT — The Newburyport YWCA opened the Doris E. Chapman Aquatic Center less than two weeks ago, and according to aquatics manager Lisa Arakelian, things are going swimmingly.
The aquatic center is alive with a myriad of fitness possibilities, and Arakelian is excited about everything the newly renovated center, a facility 14 months in the making, finally has to offer the citizens around the River Rival Region.
"The reception we've been getting is great," said Arakelian. "We've been getting a lot of new memberships. Kids are signing up for programs and lessons, and the overall response from the community has been wonderful."
And for good reason.
The aquatic center is now home to a pair of new pools that harbor around 20 classes a week. There is a four-lane, 25-yard lap pool that spans from a depth of 31/2 feet to 10 feet, and a fully leasable warm-water pool with a depth of 31/2 to 51/2 feet.
The lap pool is home to a variety of endeavors. There are swimming lessons for adults, youths, and the parent/tot tandem that begins at the end of the month, as well as swim teams.
The Masters swim team is an opportunity free to members above the age of 19 to challenge themselves with endurance swimming that trains the members to swim 1,500 to 3,000 yards (one to two miles) per session.
The Breakers are a kids swim team offered to the general public. It's a recreational swim team where the age limit stems off at the senior level in high school, and they race other YMCA teams and local swimming clubs.
Other opportunities the lap pool offers are aquatic workouts like aerobics and yoga. Benefits of such activities are endless for anyone interested in adding extra strength or dexterity.
"The aquatic workouts we offer are aimed to help form, or rebuild a healthy body," said Arakelian, who remembered the opening day, Splash Day, as being an incredible culmination of 300 swimmers, food, and celebration.
"It can increase flexibility, strength, endurance, cardiac and blood-flow strength, and it's a great social workshop as well.
"Some of the folks that come in have difficulty doing things people occasionally take for granted like walking or standing for a prolonged period of time," said Arakelian. "After a while, these workouts will improve an individual's ability to do both of these, which in turn, will make them a happier and more confident person."
The lap pool is also used for an assortment of training procedures like lifeguard classes, boating certification classes, as well as swim tests for Boys and Girls Scouts. All training is done under the guidelines of the Northeast branch of the American Red Cross, which has a special affiliation with the Newburyport YWCA.
The warm-water pool, kept at a constant 92 degrees, is designed to help in rehabilitation procedures. The use of a warm-water pool has undeniable post-surgery healing effects as well as soothing properties that can help mend sore muscles, relieve arthritis and loosen joints. The YWCA and Anna Jaques Hospital have already formed a partnership where the hospital will be using the warmwater pool for its aquatic physical therapy program.
If working out with water doesn't suit your style, all is not lost. Not by a long shot.
The YWCA has a fitness center with a slew of state-of-the-art equipment designed to sculpt one's body. It also offers an assortment of cardiovascular machines and free weights with the option of personal training, in addition to a multitasking room designed for yoga, Pilates, and spinning.
Ilene Grady, the club's health and wellness director, knew the addition of new pools wasn't going to be enough.
"We knew that we just couldn't improve the pool," said Grady. "We needed to improve everything. From the gym, to the equipment, to the classes, we knew that we needed to appeal to all fitness levels.
"We're a health and wellness facility that caters to the individual just as much to the group," explained Grady. "We want to suit people of all skill levels; from those who are underconditioned, to avid athletes. All of our programs can be modified."
With instructors like Damon Nilsson, after-school activities will remain educational.
"It's a great opportunity for affordable and enriching after-school child care," stated Nilsson. "It offers valuable socialization mixed with physical activity, games, and arts and crafts, and it's an awesome alternative to just going home and collapsing in front on the television."
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