Berkeley Heights YMCA Sets Grand Opening of New Location for February 29
Come one come all! Join us for the much anticipated Grand Opening of the brand new Berkeley Heights YMCA! Set for Saturday, February 29, 2020, this momentous day will be filled with fun activities. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, light refreshments, facility tours, Membership and Program giveaways, half-court shot contests, chair massages, Family Zumba, arts & crafts, a and much more!
The Berkeley Heights YMCA, a branch of the Summit Area YMCA, opened its doors at 59 Locust Avenue to the public earlier this month on February 6 and is excited to welcome the community to its Grand Opening.
“Every day, we’ve woken up excited to be one step closer to being in a facility that could not only better serve our members, but the needs of our community.” said Tiffany Escott, Executive Director of the Berkeley Heights YMCA. “And that has always been and will always be our goal. Our community is continually growing and changing, and as a Y that is dedicated to serving the community and building a better future for all, we had to find a way to adapt and grow as well. We are so proud of the new Berkeley Heights YMCA, and we can’t wait to see everyone come through our doors and enjoy everything we’ve worked so hard to accomplish. It will be a sight to behold!”
Although it has been over a decade in the making, this journey began officially in 2017, when the Berkeley Heights Township Council unanimously approved an ordinance that allowed for a 50-year lease of the Locust Avenue property with the Summit Area YMCA. The approval allowed for the YMCA to not only continue to serve the community as it has for the past 22 years, but to expand its offerings and membership, including anticipated improvements to the Berkeley Heights Community Pool that was originally built in 1964 and had fallen into disrepair. Having successfully managed the Berkeley Heights Community Pool in 2016, the Summit Area YMCA was asked by officials to manage the pool moving forward, which became a wonderful opportunity to revitalize the its facilities while also ensuring the Y’s longevity in serving the community with a new building.
“We are confident the new Y facility and pool on Locust Ave will provide essential services that will strengthen the community even further. We are proud to offer youth and adults swim lessons and lifeguard certification trainings that reduce the risk of drowning, a full-sized gym where children will build confidence by learning skills and sportsmanship, a child care center that will give working parents quality care options and peace of mind, and multipurpose rooms where seniors, cancer survivors or others will gather for fellowship.” said Paul Kieltyka, President and CEO of the Summit Area YMCA.
The new 40,000 square foot facility provides premium modern amenities, more group fitness studios, program expansions with Youth and Adult sports, a spacious and convenient Kid Zone, quality child care and more. Berkeley Heights YMCA members do not only enjoy extended membership privileges to the Summit YMCA, but more than 2500 YMCAs in the USA with the added benefit of Nationwide Membership.
We hope you will join us at our new facility at 59 Locust Avenue! Get excited for a day of fun and celebration, plus a ton of giveaways like an annual membership to our Y, the new Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA, personal and small group training packages, a free week of summer camp, swim lessons and more!
Event Details
February 29, 2020 Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
59 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Schedule of the Day
10:15 AM Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting
12:00 PM Family Zumba
12:45 PM Basketball Half-Court Shot Contest
1:30 PM Soccer Kick Shot Contest
Activities
Guided Facility Tours
Arts & Crafts
Chair Massages
Live Music
Membership & Program Giveaways
Information Fair
Please note:
• The Gymnasium & Kid Zone 2 will not be available for use from 9:00AM – 3:00PM.
• While we have a full schedule of fun activities planned, members who are not interested in participating in the Grand Opening festivities, are encouraged to consider working out at a different time or at another local YMCA during these hours.
• Additional parking will be allowed on Locust Avenue as well as the following neighboring businesses:
• Ace/Twill – 22 Russo Place
• Flex School – 34 Russo Place
• VFW – 15 Locust Ave
The Summit Area YMCA is grateful to the Berkeley Heights Community for the patience and understanding that comes with the construction of a new home and facility, as well as for the generosity of our members, donors, staff and local partnerships for its support of the Y in building a new legacy.
“The Y’s cause is to help every individual to discover their potential and to learn, grow and thrive.” said Francesca Garrard, Director of Community Programs at the Berkeley Heights YMCA. “Our three pillars are for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Everything we do, all our services, our programs, is to strengthen our community, for a better future, for a better us. The Berkeley Heights YMCA is special because the people there are special—the staff, the members, the volunteers. And now, with this new facility, with the programs and the new jobs it has created, we at the Berkeley Heights YMCA, and the Summit Area YMCA as a whole, will also be able to learn, grow and thrive in order to better serve our community’s needs.”
HOURS OF OPERATION
MONDAY - FRIDAY 5:00 AM - 10:15 PM
SATURDAY 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM
SUNDAY 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Learn more about the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA and secure your early bird savings by registering for your pool memberships now through February 29, 2020.
Explore our latest Program Guide and visit our Online Schedules to view our current programs and class offerings!
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About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, The Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Our branches are vital, vibrant, and valued centers in the community, which provide meaningful experiences for individuals and families. Each year, we serve more than 10,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit.