By T.J. Turrisi
The Meadville YMCA has partnered with the Economic Progress Alliance to create a new “Y Express” location at the Crawford Business Park on Mosiertown Road.
The satellite facility will open its doors to members on Monday at 11 a.m., and will hold an open house sometime during the week of Monday, Jan. 12 to Friday, Jan. 16.
It is located within the Avtex building and is just over 2,500 square feet in size according to YMCA Membership and Marketing Director Drake Parker.
The facility will have everything needed to get a complete workout.
“The initial room that we’re in is like a wellness center. We have over 10 pieces of cardio equipment in there and then there is a strength-training pod,” Parker said. “There are stations in it to work out the different parts of the body.”
The facility will feature two elliptical machines, two treadmills, stairclimbers, recumbent bikes, stationary bikes, a stretching and toning section, and free weights, including 1 1/2- to 50-pound dumb bells.
According to Economic Progress Alliance Executive Director Mark Turner, this area is considered Phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2, to be started in the coming weeks, will include the installment of locker rooms with showers.
“All of this is what we are planning to unveil in the next couple weeks,” Parker said.
According to Meadville YMCA Chief Executive Officer Jake Lasley, the Y Express project incurred a startup cost of $60,000 on YMCA side.
Turner said the startup cost incurred by Phase 1 was between $35,000 to $40,000 for the Economic Progress Alliance.
Funds for Phase 2 are currently being sought.
“We are using own construction crew,” Turner said, “which will cut down on costs. The second phase will begin soon. We need to do a little fundraising needed first. We have to find grant sources and that sort of thing.”
The project was demand-driven, according to Turner, as the 1,000-plus employees housed in the Crawford Business Park were looking for a place to work out.
“We had a lot of occupants at the park looking for some type of physical fitness option,” he said.
“We are very appreciative of the Economic Progress Alliance working with us to make this all possible,” Parker said. “Without them, we definitely would not be in the facility so hats off to those guys.”
The reason the facility will open to members one week prior to the open house is to have a chance to make sure everything is in working order, according to Parker.
“We want to fine tune our equipment, make sure everything’s in place and ready to run,” he said.
Site-only memberships or full membership for both YMCA locations will be available to the public.
The staff at Y Express will also be able to formulate a wellness plan for members and give equipment demonstrations, according to Parker and Lasley.
T.J. Turrisi can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 276 or by e-mail at tjturrisi@meadvilletribune.com.
