BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — How to get new members and keep them.
This is one of the many missions the local YMCA has embarked on this year.
“We’re trying to give back to the community,” said Tom Libassi, executive director of the South Brunswick YMCA.
Libassi, who took over his position in February, said the YMCA is making strides with the help of new directors, classes and programs to provide greater service for all age groups within the South Brunswick community.
He said part of the current mission of the YMCA is to spread the word on its numerous new classes as well as upcoming renovations to its facility.
Recent changes include restructuring of the YMCA’s Aquatics Department, changing to a 10-week program schedule, increasing the time available for swimming lessons and water safety. The YMCA also added new equipment for its gymnastic programs.
The Y has also added massage therapy, called “It’s Nice to be Kneaded” classes, to its list of fall activities, as well as lacrosse.
Recent renovations include repavement of the driveway and parking lot, much of which was made possible through donations.
Donna Andretta, the YMCA’s communication and marketing director, said the YMCA has formed focal groups for aquatics, landscaping and facility needs to ensure that the Y is moving in the right direction for its members.
The YMCA Landscaping Committee recently began a fund-raising campaign to raise $3,000 to purchase topsoil, mulch and plants. The funds will be used to create additional fields and nature trails as part of the Y’s beautification campaign. Planting should begin in early fall and all volunteers are welcome to participate, Andretta said.
Libassi said he hopes the new renovations will increase the amount of members at the YMCA.
On average, the Y sees nearly 200 people a day, a number the YMCA’s directors hope will increase with new additions tentatively set for 2005, he said.
The renovations will have two phases. Phase I will include additions for an adult senior program and construction on a temporary indoor track in the YMCA’s 13,000-square-foot storage. The new indoor track area would also provide a venue for children’s indoor soccer, Libassi said.
Phase II is where the major renovations will occur. This phase will see the construction of a state-of-the-art fitness center and conference room, leaving room available for a much-needed teen center, he said.
The YMCA must do a better job in reaching teen members, he said.
Young YMCA members typically fall into two groups — young children and those returning home to South Brunswick from college or later in life. Part of the Y’s mission, Libassi said, must be to reach the teenage group.
The teen center could be run either by the YMCA or in conjunction with the Board of Education or township, as long as it provides the services teens want. Libassi said he and other directors at the YMCA are seeking teen input before plans are made to learn what teens really want out of a new center.
“Our hope is to offer a place for teens that is cool and safe,” he said.
The tentative renovation plan will create a teen center in the current gymnastics room. The gymnastics room will move to the current fitness center, and a new fitness center will be created in the YMCA’s 13,000-square-foot storage room.
Libassi said the renovations plans are not definite and are still in the early planning stages.
“We’re coming closer, but we’re not there yet,” he said.
The plans will go before the YMCA membership and the community to determine which goals are feasible, according to Libassi.
In addition, Libassi said an ongoing goal of the South Brunswick YMCA would be to upgrade its 20-by-40-foot heated pool, used for aquatic lessons, instructions and private parties, to a standard lap pool measuring 25 yards by 25 meters.
However, a new pool is an enormous investment, costing nearly $3 million, and would require significant fund-raising events, he said.
The pool is something that serves everybody, Andretta said, and is an extremely busy part of the facility.
According to Libassi, the initial architectural plans will be completed by late September in time for public viewing at the YMCA’s open house, set for Oct. 17.
The open house, according to Andretta, will provide tours of the facility, including the YMCA’s child-care program. The open house will also feature open swimming, aerobics, martial arts, soccer and lacrosse, as well as face-painting, arts and crafts and giveaways.
“We will also be raffling off a free child-care registration, three free personal training sessions, a free week of summer camp, and a family facility membership,” Andretta said.
“We are excited about the new direction we are taking and we want the community to see our accomplishments,” she said.
Andretta stressed the importance of the open house in reaching out to the community on the YMCA’s numerous changes and improvements.
“We really want the community to come out here and embrace us again,” she said.
nity on the YMCA’s numerous changes and improvements.
“We really want the community to come out here and embrace us again,” she said.