YMCA officials are gearing up for their grand opening in Sequim.
By fall, the “Sequim Y” is expected to replace the former Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center at 610 N. Fifth Ave., which closed late last October.
“The Olympic Peninsula YMCA is proud to partner with local businesses and the community to open the Sequim YMCA in the fall of 2016,” said Gina Caliendo, Olympic Peninsula YMCA marketing and communications specialist, in a recent press release. “We look forward to serving the community of Sequim.”
The facility will include a wellness center, swimming pool and house an Olympic Medical Center Rehab office.
“We’re making good progress,” said Len Borchers, Olympic Peninsula YMCA acting chief executive officer. “We’re finishing up recruiting key staff and we’re in there working on the place almost daily.”
Using grants from the Clallam County Opportunity Fund and the Washington State Department of Commerce, $1.1 million in facility repairs and improvements will be completed throughout the summer.
Aside from the structural work underway, YMCA officials will launch a community support campaign Tuesday, June 21, in anticipation of the opening and to maintain the organization’s commitment to provide access for all.
“Each year the Y anticipates providing $150,000 in direct support, subsidized programs and member assistance,” Caliendo said.
For SARC members that paid ahead prior to the center’s closure, they will receive membership credit or if preferred the credit can be donated to the Sequim Y. Throughout the next few weeks YMCA officials plan to send letters explaining the various options to all those who have credit.
Frank Pickering, chairman of Clallam County Parks and Recreation District 1 (SARC), is confident in the success of the Sequim Y for a number of reasons.
“Once the community has been without something like this for a year, I think they’ll realize how valuable it is,” he said.
Cost savings from the new air handler — a car-sized piece of equipment required to maintain air quality within the swimming pool area — coupled with converting the system from propane to an electric heat pump via the state grant will “substantially reduce the cost of operating the facility,” he said.
Lastly, he added, some Medicare providers will pay for a portion of the fees when joining certain gyms, including the Sequim Y.
Lee Schilling, Y member transition specialist, is available from noon-4 p.m., Monday-Friday at 302 S. Francis St., in Port Angeles to answer questions and concerns.
Contact Schilling at 582-6617 or email info@olympicpeninsulaymca.org.
Reach Alana Linderoth at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
Editor’s note: Terry Ward, Olympic Peninsula News Group publisher, is an Olympic Peninsula YMCA board member. — MD
