ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Nearly a year after a fire shut down its fitness center, the Greater Valley YMCA is welcoming back members for workouts.
Exercise classes, strength training machines, and cardio equipment are all available for use once again.
“I was a member since I was 7 years old off and on, so this is home and I'm glad it's open," said Matt Slifer, of Allentown.
The longtime member was driving to another location to work out while the Allentown location was closed.
"I go to the Bethlehem Y, which is fantastic, but it's a half-an-hour ride, so this is more convenient and it's newer, so I love it,” Slifer said.
The branch at 425 15th St. shut down its fitness portion of the building following a fire last June caused during a roof repair, according to Executive Director Jodi Perry.
"It's an exciting day for us here at the Y and a chance for us to open up our doors and help with some social isolation that's been happening with our community, and attack our health and wellness,” Perry said.
"We're very grateful to the folks behind the scenes that have not only remediated the fire, but also provided resources so we can get this part of our facility reopened to our members and those in the community.”
She explained that the exercise area and classes are now all on one floor, instead of two like it used to be, with some additions.
"We have a brand new free-weight area that has some new equipment in there,” Perry said. “We have 11 classes this week that will be focusing primarily on our active older seniors, but open to anybody who would like to take part in those."
More than 50 members paid a visit Monday morning for the reveal and reopening of the facility.
"It's amazing. We were waiting for almost a year to reopen, we are so happy,” said Adriana Mertens, of Allentown.
Mertens has been working out at 15th Street for about 25 years and also had to commute to Bethlehem during the shutdown to use the YMCA services.
"Here is different. It's more like, like to be at home again,” she said.
"We're helping attack that social isolation and getting our community back together."Jodi Perry, Executive Director, Greater Valley YMCA Allentown branch
Perry said for many members, it’s not just a time to exercise but a place to socialize as well.
“We're more than an exercise facility and this one in particular does a lot of mission work and we're really proud that we're able to still do that with our community, but even better, we're helping attack that social isolation and getting our community back together,” she said.
Perry said she was thrilled to see many of the regulars back in person.
“A lot of hugs and kisses and people really excited to just be back here," she said. "And that's what the Y is all about, connecting people and really providing those opportunities for that connection.”
Perry said in September, the branch will be launching two pathways programs — one for veterans and the other for people in treatment or recovery from mental health issues.
The Allentown facility will offer full access to the exercise area and classes for free to the public through May 31. After that, an express fitness rate will be offered to those who join.
The Greater Valley YMCA's Allentown branch is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
