Progress steady at Eastern Lycoming YMCA site
By PATRICK DONLIN - pdonlin@sungazette.comArticle Photos
The 46,000-square-foot structure at 100 Fitness Drive in Muncy Township will be dwarfed by the 135,000-square-foot Generations Sports Complex Dome next to it.
There are benefits to how close the two sites are to each other, according to River Valley Regional YMCA President and CEO Dave Fagerstrom.
“The dome and this building will feed off each other,” Fagerstrom said. Both employ YMCA staff members.
The $11.2 million YMCA is situated on 15 acres. The deed to the land was given to the YMCA about two years ago from the Turkey Run Partners.
Prime contractor T-Ross Brothers Construction Inc. has the structure 85 percent built, according to Fagerstrom.
A “soft opening” is expected on July 1. Fagerstrom said members will be welcome to use the YMCA from that date forward. For the rest of the summer and early fall, Fagerstrom said any kinks that may exist will be solved, allowing for an entirely efficient operation in time for the Oct. 16 grand opening dedication.
Fagerstrom toured the construction site on Friday with River Valley Regional YMCA Development Director Sheri Crain and Williamsport YMCA Sports and Recreation Director Mark Casson.
Each time Crain visits the site, she notices newly completed construction, whether it’s a sidewalk outside or an interior wall. “I’m amazed at how well the work gets done,” she said.
Casson, who is set to leave his Williamsport sports and recreation post sometime this summer to become the Eastern Lycoming YMCA branch director, showcased many of the amenities.
“The whole facility is wide and open,” Casson said. “The front desk staff can view everything.”
The entrance will be adorned with markers for the many people and organizations that donated money and efforts to the new YMCA.
Near the front desk will be a watch center where members can have their children supervised by staff.
A wellness area will include treadmills, stationary bicycles and circuit weightlifing machines. Free weights such as dumbbells will be partitioned behind their own adjacent wall, Casson said.
Walking down a hallway, an aerobics room comes into sight, which will service four classes of instruction. An adjoining storage room will house aerobics equipment.
Separate from the child watch center, staff will supervise a day care center for pre-school children. A sliding door from this day care room reveals an outdoor playground.
The Muncy Senior Center plans to move from its home at the corner of Water and Main streets to the new “Y” later this year. The move is not expected to involve a lapse in service, according to Janet Alling, president and CEO of locally-based Success Through Engagement and Partnership.
Senior Center plans entail a continuation of congregating, recreating and servicing a Meals-on-Wheels program, Alling said. By moving into the YMCA, local seniors will have more convenient access to exercise equipment, she said.
Susquehanna Health also will lease space, according to Fagerstrom. This involves a physical rehabilitative and sports medicine offering, he said.
A Susquehanna Health representative called could not be reached for comment.
Near the full basketball court will be two smaller, youth-size basketball courts and two volleyball courts. The gymnasium will be encircled by a running track.
A six-lane swimming pool will offer a zero-depth walk-in entrance for easy access. A variety of water depths include 3 1/2-foot, 5 1/2-foot and 9 1/2-foot depths.
A slide will wind into the pool, with a separate hot tub nearby.
Overlooking the pool is a multi-purpose room for board meetings, birthday parties and classes, Casson said.
Men’s and women’s locker rooms contain sinks, showers and saunas.
Separate family changing rooms include two shower stalls and two dry stalls without showers. Casson said a parent that brings their young child of the opposite sex with them will find these stalls convenient.
With a television and furniture, a community gathering space will be a place for people to “hang out,” Casson said.
Memberships are available by calling 323-7134.
Those enrolling will be entitled to a June 27 “sneak peak” night at the new facility, Crain said.
