The numbers are in for 2015 and membership at the Galion YMCA is up.
According to YMCA executive director Terry Gribble, membership is up 28 percent from the previous year.
“We saw gigantic growth in our membership in 2015,” Gribble said.
Gribble attributes the increase in membership to the $1 million renovation project that was completed last January.
“Although we never completely closed down during the renovation project, we had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to re-open on Jan. 29 last year. Membership took off after that,” Gribble said.
The project that began in 2012 was paid for through donations and grants.
“We added new cardio equipment and free weights which people really enjoy. We also completely gutted the locker rooms and shower areas and installed brand new tile floors. We replaced every single ceiling tile in the entire building and installed new carpeting in areas that were previously carpeted,” Gribble said.
Less glamourous but necessary was the installation of new pumps, filters, and motors for the pool area.
“Those things need to be done after several years because they run constantly-24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Gribble said.
Gribble has been the director of the Bucyrus YMCA in the past and a similar renovation project was completed there a few years ago.
“The Bucyrus YMCA also got some new cardio and free weight equipment and replaced the pool motors, filters, and pumps also,” Gribble said.
Gribble said the Bucyrus and Galion YMCAs are still involved in a collaboration of services and staff.
“We have added the Tiffin YMCA to the collaboration and the director there, Steve Crone, is now overseeing the Bucyrus YMCA,” Gribble said.
Gribble said if you purchase a membership at one YMCA, you can use it at all three.
“Recently it was announced that if you have a YMCA membership in the state of Ohio, you can use it at any YMCA in the state, but must utilize your membership at least 50 percent of the time at the YMCA you purchase it at,” Gribble said. “The Galion and Bucyrus YMCAs were the first to start sharing memberships.”
Karey Gifford and Leslie Stauffer are both members of the Galion YMCA that is located at 500 Gill Ave. in Galion.
“I get a discount on my membership through work,” said Gifford.
Stauffer said that coming to the YMCA to workout is convenient.
“And the membership is affordable,” said Stauffer as she worked out on an elliptical machine Monday morning.
For more information about the Galion YMCA, visit http://www.galioncenterymca.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Galion-Community-Center-YMCA-147533908250/info/?tab=overview or call 419-468-7754.
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