SEQUIM — YMCA officials, gearing up for a grand opening of the Sequim Y in the fall, will launch a community support campaign Tuesday.
The Sequim Y will open at 610 N. Fifth Ave. The Olympic Peninsula YMCA is taking over management of the public pool and exercise facility, which closed as the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center in 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, YMCA spokeswoman, in a news release.
“We look forward to serving the community of Sequim.”
The facility will include a wellness center and swimming pool, and house an Olympic Medical Center rehab office.
“We’re making good progress,” said Len Borchers, 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 state Department of Commerce, $1.1 million in facility repairs and improvements are expected to be completed this summer.
YMCA campaign
The community support campaign is intended to help maintain the organization’s commitment to providing access for all.
“Each year, the Y anticipates providing $150,000 in direct support, subsidized programs and member assistance,” Caliendo said.
SARC members who paid ahead prior to the center’s closure will receive membership credit or, if they prefer, 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.
Official confident
Frank Pickering, chairman of Clallam County Parks and Recreation District 1, which oversees the facility, 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,” Pickering said.
Lastly, he added, some Medicare providers will pay for a portion of the fees when joining certain gyms, including the Sequim Y.
Availability
Lee Schilling, Y member transition specialist, is available from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 302 S. Francis St. in Port Angeles to answer questions and concerns.
Contact Schilling at 360-582-6617 or info@olympicpeninsulaymca.org.
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Alana Linderoth is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum, serves on the Olympic Peninsula YMCA board of directors.
