Published: December 31, 2008 10:01 am      

YM/YW leadership answers questions posed by residents

We are extremely excited to officially begin our “Clinton YMCA-YWCA” joint venture in January!

Both organizations will maintain their separate identities and missions, but will join together in the areas of fitness and youth activities. We are confident that this is the next step forward in providing our valued members the best possible programs and services available in our community. Of course, the community has many questions regarding our joint venture.

Below is a Q&A we put together to address some of the questions we've been receiving.

What does “joint venture” mean?

Basically, it means we are combined where we duplicate services, youth and fitness. If you are a YWCA member, you will now have access to all the YMCA's facilities, classes, programs and services, and vice versa if you are a YMCA member. We want to encourage members from either location to use the facilities at the other location and attend some of their classes in the New Year.

Why is the joint venture needed? Why not just stay separate?

Together we can be more economical and efficient, and offer more programs, services and classes. A second convenient location will be available to our members starting in January. We will combine some expenses, so we can keep our memberships affordable.

When can members start taking classes at either facility?

On Jan. 5, both the YWCA and the YMCA facilities and classes will be open to the other organization’s members. Since there will be a lot of new faces, please make sure to bring your membership cards with you and show them to the front desk staff.

Our Open House Week will be Jan. 5 to 10. During that week, the community can try out the classes and facilities for free. The $30 joiner’s fee will be waived during that week.

New members will also receive their 13th month free with a paid membership.

If someone isn’t already a member, now is the time to join.

There will be tours available that week as well. To receive a brochure with complete information, call 242-2110 or 243-2364.

Is the YMCA closing their current facility and moving to the former Harding Elementary School?

Yes, the YMCA is relocating to the former Harding Elementary School at 1401 12th Ave. North in Clinton.

The existing YMCA facility is more than 100 years old and it is too expensive to continue to operate. It is necessary for us to vacate this building and move into a temporary site until a new facility is built. The YMCA cannot sustain itself in this building under its current condition. Any money that we would use to keep this facility open would be better served putting toward a new facility. We have our members’ best interests in mind for the long-term.

The bottom line is if we stay in this facility we could not afford to operate it. By moving to an alternate facility, we have the opportunity to maintain most of our programs as well as share others with the YWCA.

We will then have the opportunity to campaign for a new facility that would accommodate everyone.

Why not move everything to the YWCA site? Do you really need the Harding site?

The YWCA will not accommodate the 50-plus classes we offer together and all of our programs.

What exactly will be available at the YMCA / Harding site?

We will move all the YMCA fitness center equipment to the Harding site, which includes weights and cardio machines. Rooms will also be available for aerobic classes, yoga, cycling, martial arts, before and after school programs and massage. Men’s and women’s locker rooms are being constructed which will include showers, bathrooms and lockers.

I thought the YMCA and YWCA were going to build a new facility. What happened to that idea?

It’s our vision to build a new facility and we will continue to have conversations with other entities and/or partners in the community to provide the best possible facility to our members.

Why should I be a member of the Clinton YMCA-YWCA?

Our new slogan is Bigger, Better, Stronger, Together, and it’s true. No one in town offers the classes, programs and services that we can. There’s nowhere that you can take a yoga class, enjoy free swimming lessons, play tennis, take an indoor cycling class, or Silver Sneakers class. Not to mention our reduced rates on youth programs such as soccer and basketball. We definitely have the best overall value for the price of our membership.

Speaking of membership, are you going to raise the rates?

Due to rising operational costs that we are all experiencing, rates will go up slightly in January. But, we think you’ll find it’s less than an extra cup of coffee per month. We assure our members that the membership cost going up is not at all due to the joint venture. It’s important to remember we are a non-profit, so our membership prices reflect the cost of doing business. Most importantly, we will never turn away someone who can’t pay the full membership rate. Scholarships are available and will be discussed on an individual basis.

Do you have a membership referral program?

Yes, and it is actually a way for members to decrease the cost of their membership quite significantly.

Any current members who refer a new member to us will receive a $10 credit towards the renewal of their membership.

If members refer more than one person, it’s quite a savings. Everyone knows someone who wants to start a new fitness program with the New Year, so we encourage our members to refer all their friends and family and really reap the rewards of this benefit.

How will I get into the tennis complex and reserve court time?

Times may be reserved by calling the YMCA at 243-1364. We are reviewing different entry systems and will make the decision before January.

When the YMCA closes the current facility, is there only going to be one swimming pool available for members?

Currently, the YWCA is being repaired.

The YMCA pool will be used through Jan. 18. On Jan. 19, the YWCA pool will be re-opened and host all swimming lessons and aquatic classes from then on.

There are time slots available for lap swimming and members will need to sign up for time slots at the YMCA-YWCA front desks. Another option for lap swimming is being investigated and will be announced as soon as possible.

Will full-court basketball still be available?

Noon hour adult basketball will continue at the Ericksen Community Center. YM/YW members will need to present their membership cards at the check-in office located next to the gym. Members can enjoy games of pick-up basketball from 12 to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:20 to 2 p.m. on Fridays at the Ericksen Center. There is no cost for YM/YW members.

What about racquetball courts?

Racquetball players will be able to play at the DeWitt Fitness Center. Members simply need to show their YM/YW card and sign-in before they play. For court reservations the DeWitt Fitness Center can be contacted at (563) 659-5127. There is no cost to YM/YW members. We know this isn't the perfect situation, but the facilities are very nice and it’s the best short-term solution.

Are both facilities going to keep their same operating hours?

The YWCA will maintain its current hours. The YMCA will maintain its current hours, with the exception of Sunday hours. The YMCA will be closed Sundays, and members are encouraged to use the YWCA facility on Sundays.

Are instructors going to be teaching classes at both facilities or are all classes going to be at the new site?

Instructors will teach classes at both facilities.

The exception to that is that all aquatic classes will be located at the YWCA pool on Jan. 19. (Aquatic classes will be temporarily located at the YMCA pool through January 18th). We will have mostly all of the same classes that we have now, only better, because now YM members can go to YW classes and vice versa. For the most part, classes will stay at the same YMCA or YWCA facility as they were at before. After the New Year, we’ll review what classes are the most popular, create new classes, and put an exciting, new schedule together. This is one of the benefits of the joint venture, more instructors and more opportunities for new classes.

What is there for kids to do at Harding?

The before and after school program will now be held at Harding. Parents will drop off their children in the morning and pick them up after school at the Harding site. For kids who just come to the YM to hang out, there will be a teen room created with organized activities and games until 5:30, and then the gym will be open for pick-up basketball. The city bus will pick kids up who need a ride home at 5:40 Monday through Friday. Otherwise, parents will need to pick up their children at the Harding site before 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 p.m. on Fridays. The teen room will grow and expand as the kids give input.

Janna Linville, the Youth Director, will help supervise this room and plan activities and games. A “teen council” will be formed to help plan and organize this new addition. For a bus route schedule, call the YMCA at 242-1364 or the YWCA at 242-2110.

The community is encouraged to attend the Clinton YMCA-YWCA Open House Week Jan. 5 to 10. During that week, the public can try out the classes and facilities for free.

For more information, call 242-2110 or 243-1364.



Shannon Sander-Welzien is the YMCA-YWCA’s marketing director.