April 28, 2021
Last week, YMCA of Bucks County celebrated the much anticipated opening of the expansion of their Doylestown branch with community celebration events held countywide. The expansion includes a large addition to their existing fitness center and the addition of program space, spin room and universal locker room, allowing more capacity to serve community needs.
The Doylestown expansion features a nearly 12,000 square foot expansion of the fitness center and a new, large spin room, additional program space, new Universal Locker Room, and a 6,000 square foot second floor. The expansion includes a new HVAC system and UV-C air sanitizing units, as well as no touch doors, additional touch free water bottle fillers and ample space not envisioned in the original plans.
The new program space will allow for additional classes to be added to the Doylestown schedule and private spaces for pathway programs like THRIVE cancer wellness program, Veterans wellness and their community Healthy Lifestyles programs. Each program serves a specific community with a specialized health and wellness curriculum designed just for them and a temporary membership. Pathway programs are provided free thanks to the support of donors and sponsors. The new universal locker room will feature private changing and shower rooms to enable easy distancing and separation and for use with those with special needs.
hoistNew and already very popular in the expanded Wellness Center is the HOIST MotionCage on a turf surface. The apparatus provides a series of functional training system exercise stations and a great way to add variety to workouts including a punching bag, rock climbing wall, traversing peg board, monkey bars, jump platform, dual pulley station, battle ropes and rebounder. "Meet the Expert" days were offered in March and April to teach members how to get the most out of the new equipment.
On November 7, 2019, the community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of this vital expansion. Now, 17-months and a worldwide pandemic later, the Y opens the newly expanded facility with a new focus on safety and spacing. While briefly paused at the onset of the pandemic, construction on the facility took place while closed by state and local government mandate. The result was the ability to pivot the original plans for the expansion to the current and future climate.
“Resuming construction during the pandemic provided us an opportunity to make changes to the plans that would fit what we knew would be a new community need,” said Zane Moore, President/CEO of YMCA of Bucks County.
Through its “For A Better Us Campaign,” the Y is engaging individual and corporate funders to support the Doylestown expansion, Fairless Hills renovation project, as well as other needed programs and services. Both capital projects enable the Y to offer additional community impact and assistance programs at these branches. As part of the campaign, donors who give between $1,500 to $10,000 over two years will be recognized in a colorful, tile mosaic display which is currently in its pre-creation phase. Anyone interested in supporting the project and leaving their legacy in this way is asked to contact Angela Jacobsen, regional director of development, at ajacobsen@ymcabucks.org or 215.348.8131, x1124
YMCA of Bucks County is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves nearly 60,600 members and participants at its five member branches, six youth education centers, and eight camp locations across Bucks County. YMCA of Bucks County provides $5 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcabucks.org.