YMCA membership doubles; Boost in members, activities follows renovations

Haverhill Gazette
By Cara Spilsbury
January 3, 2008

— Times are good at the Haverhill YMCA.
Membership has doubled, climbing from 1,800 to almost 3,900 members since it reopened following a $7.5 million renovation in 2005 and 2006. Now the institution is not only enjoying an increase in memberships, but a bevy of new activities.
Not bad for an organization that will mark its 150th year this year.

Executive Director Tracy Fuller, at her position for eight months, credits the success to mutual dedication: Generations of members have passed through the doors over the years as the YMCA kept providing services and activities the community craved.

"A lot of members stayed with us through the renovation," Fuller said. "Some have been members for longer than I've been alive. It's a sentimental place for a lot of people. They learned to swim here, their children learned to swim here, and their grandchildren learned to swim here."
The motto at the YMCA for sports is that everyone plays and everyone wins, making the facility's leagues and tournaments very popular.

New additions include a gymnastics facility in one of the old basketball courts and a rock-climbing wall in a converted racquetball court.

"Every kid deserves a Y," said Fuller, who grew up going to a YMCA herself. "We don't turn anyone away."
The YMCA has given away over $100,000 in membership assistance over the years, allowing anyone from any economic background to take part. The membership fees are on a sliding scale depending on income.
On the third and fourth floors, the 52 affordable housing units, which are all single-occupancy rooms, have been upgraded. Each room has a private bathroom but residents share a common living room, kitchen and laundry facility.

"We have a lot of members," Fuller said, "but a lot of people call this place home, too."
According to Fuller, even more is in store for the YMCA in 2008.
"I'd love to see us serve as many children and families as possible in the greater Haverhill area," Fuller said.
They've started a before- and after-school program at Pentucket Lake School that has proven very successful. The 130 children enrolled take part in homework help, arts and crafts and kids fitness classes, like karate and swimming. The YMCA will continue the program into the new year.

Last fall, the YMCA hosted a midnight basketball tournament because city officials noticed teenagers playing ball outdoors late at night. It was so successful that Mayor James Fiorentini asked the YMCA to continue the program, so starting in January, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., area youths can enjoy basketball tournaments on the last Friday of every month.

"The kids have a great time," Fuller said, "and it's a safe place to be, so parents love it."
And there is always the YMCA summer camp program in Kingston, N.H. called Tricklin' Falls, where city kids get a chance to hike, canoe and experience a different side of New England life.

Fuller sees the YMCA as the center of the community, where people of all ages, races, sizes and shapes can come together. She said Saturday mornings are a perfect example, when the parking lot is packed as people partake in workouts, swim lessons, gymnastics and everything else the facility has to offer.
For those interested in becoming part of the Haverhill YMCA, its free "Try the Y" event runs through Jan. 4.
For more information on the Haverhill YMCA, visit www.northshoreymca.org.

INFO BOX
New staff at the YMCA
 Ryan Allen -- youth services director
 Judy Dugar -- gymnastics director
 Michael Lescord -- senior membership director (previously the senior program director)
 Daniel Sebens -- aquatics director

Other directors
 Tracy Fuller -- executive director
 Matt Chmielewski -- school age director
 Lena Dziechowski -- gymnastics coordinator
 David Johnson -- facilities director
 Kathy Churchill -- housing manager

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