The Fond du Lac Family YMCA plans a June construction start on a renovation to its facility that will add a Healthy Living Center, include a larger expanded fitness studio suite, as well as men’s and women’s locker room changes and security upgrades. The YMCA is currently fundraising for the improvement project.
The Fond du Lac Family YMCA opened it’s new facility in 2010, and even at that time a need was foreseen for an eventual expansion, said Executive Director/CEO Greg Giles. Through expanded Healthy Living programs and increased group fitness class sizes, additional meeting rooms and larger fitness studios emerged as priorities.
The current Virtual Family Fitness Studio, located near the Welcome Center desk at the Y, is being renovated as the new “Healthy Living Center.” This area will address the need for a specialized space for programs offered at the Y, such as the Livestrong at the YMCA class and the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The Y’s impact on participants who take part in these programs is evident. “It’s really important that we have enough dedicated space for our Healthy Living Programs, to offer a comfortable meeting area that fosters learning, friendship and support,” said M.J. Neumann, Healthy Living Director at the Fond du Lac Family YMCA.
Giles said the Y is seeking to continually meet the needs of younger families in the millennial generation. That means, for example, new smartphone apps and group fitness classes that are cutting edge, with the latest and greatest fitness equipment. “We’re at one of those key periods now for the YMCA to stay modern and relevant,” he said. The planned improvements in the lower level of the Fond du Lac Family YMCA include an expanded Studio A, a larger new group cycling studio, and a new studio offering personal training and small group training. Virtual fitness classes will be moved from the main level to the lower level suite of studios, and will be available again in the fall.
“We’re about serving community needs, and in partnership with Agnesian HealthCare and Aurora Health Care, we are receiving monthly referrals to our programs,” Giles said of the Y’s healthy living programs. “Improving our communities health and well-being is more important than ever. Providing opportunities for physical activity, addressing chronic disease and nutrition education is fundamental to our approach.”
The facility improvements will be complete by early fall. Multiple areas of the facility will be affected throughout the summer. There will be continual updates and communication to members throughout the summer, so they stay up to date with the progress and facility changes as they occur.