March 10, 2023
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Metro Esports have announced the expansion of their partnership with the opening of a new esports gaming lounge at the YMCA’s Warminster branch. Following the successful collaboration at the Y’s branch in Doylestown, the Y in Warminster will provide members and community residents with a welcoming and inclusive environment to enjoy gaming, camps and technological skill development regardless of age and ability.
The state-of-the-art gaming lounge is scheduled to begin running programs on March 27 at the Warminster YMCA located at 624 York Road. YMCA members and non-members will be able to take part in casual gaming tournaments and league play for major esports titles, while using powerful industry-leading gaming PCs, next-generation consoles and popular gaming and esports titles. The gaming lounge will also be a center for STEAM and esports education for participants interested in building, programming and designing games that they enjoy playing.
“As an essential provider of youth development opportunities, I couldn’t be more excited to expand the Y’s partnership with Metro Esports,” said Trish Feinthel, Chief Operations Officer of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. “The gaming lounge in Warminster will offer the same technology, competitive joy and STEAM learning opportunities as our Doylestown gaming lounge. We are grateful to be able to provide participants the technological expertise of Metro Esports professionals within the caring and inclusive environment of the Y.”
Along with the opening of the esports gaming lounge, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Metro Esports are announcing, in partnership with Centennial School District, the Centennial Esports League at the YMCA branch in Warminster. Operating over eight-week seasons, the Centennial Esports League will offer students in-person esports competition on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Transportation will be provided for students to the YMCA for matches and practices, and the lounge will be available for individual and team practice sessions throughout the week. Each season will feature different games such as Fortnite, Smash Bros, and Rocket League, where competitors can sign up individually as “Free Agents” or as a registered team, depending on the season title.
“We look forward to providing Centennial students with a combination of gaming and technology-based skill development, an outlet for competing in a non-sport team activity, and the ability to learn about the gaming industry and STEAM careers in a very hands-on way,” said Ari Evans, vice president of operations for Metro Esports. “The partnership is an innovative approach to creating opportunities for students of all ages, interest levels and abilities to pursue their interests in gaming and technology.”
The Metro Esports gaming lounge at the YMCA in Doylestown has enjoyed increasing popularity and participation since opening in June 2022. The gaming center hosts 300 guests per week on average, and over the summer hosted gaming campers over 418 session enrollments. Access to Metro Esports gaming lounges at Warminster and Doylestown branches are included with Y membership and programs are available for a discounted fee. Community members may access the lounge via a per visit guest fee and may participate in programs by paying the registration fee.
Esports, gaming and TechU STEAM summer camp options are open for registration at the Y’s Doylestown and Warminster branches for children heading into grades three to seven. Camps are held in the state of the art gaming lounges and led by Metro Esports professionals. Half day and full day options (9 AM-4 PM) as well as an extended day (4:30 PM) are offered and vary by location. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Families can learn more about esports and adventure summer camps at ymcabhc.org/camp.
Information about the new YMCA Metro Esports Gaming Lounge in Warminster may be found on the website, visiting the branch in person, or calling (267) 387-9622. For inquiries specific to the YMCA Centennial Sports League, please reach out to metroesports@ymcabhc.org.