Starting May 3, the Summit YMCA will move forward with a $5 million renovation plan to transform and modernize its interior to meet today’s standards, while maintaining its historic charm.
Since its first opening in 1886, the Summit YMCA has been evolving and expanding its youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living programming to better serve our community.
In 2018, with assistance from numerous Y supporters, the Summit Area YMCA began taking action on its vision of growth for the next century, by investing $16 million to address the changing needs of our diverse community through the construction of the new Berkeley Heights YMCA and community pool. This monumental facility provided the Y with more capacity to further expand its important programs and services for generations to come.
In 2022, this development continued, with a Capital Campaign to renovate the historic Summit YMCA—modernize its interior, improve facilities, enhance its ability to serve the community, and to make the Y more welcoming and accessible to all.
The Y on Maple Street was originally constructed in 1912 and last renovated in 1998. At the forefront of disease-prevention programs and as a support network for struggling families, aging adults and disconnected teenagers, the Summit YMCA is a community cornerstone, helping thousands of individuals find health and wellness in Summit and beyond, and welcoming over 17,000 people through its doors annually.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Summit fans, Y supporters and their confidence in the Y’s impact, we are excited to announce phase one, a $5 million renewal of the Summit YMCA’s first and second floors, and renovation timeline from May to September of 2023.
Public support remains critical for the completion of this campaign and its outstanding cost. Naming, furniture, and equipment purchasing opportunities are available to help fuel the Y’s ongoing mission of a strong and healthy community. Every size and type of donation counts!
Project Scope:
The updated, open facility plans are designed to give the Y the ability to significantly increase the impact of its youth, health, and wellness programs in the decades to come, as well as eliminate inefficient or unusable spaces. This investment will reconstruct the following features to achieve those goals.
- Expanded and modernized wellness floor footprint with room for more strength training and functional fitness spaces with all new, state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
- Showcasing the Y’s commitment to fostering community, intentionally designed, open multi-purpose community spaces and a lobby where everyone feels welcome.
- A large, brand-new, and lively Teen Center, designed specifically for modern day students, needs, and activities.
- Expansion and relocation of Kid Zone, for more convenient access to a service that allows caregivers to exercise or socialize at the Y knowing their children are being cared for close by.
- Upgraded Group Exercise Studio spaces, some with new finishes, lighting, or floors that support all the jumping, jacks, and two-steps.
Imagine a Summit YMCA whose bright, energetic space reflects Summit’s vibrant culture. A design that not only welcomes diversity but actively promotes it. One set up to foster intergenerational conversations and bond neighbors from all walks of life. Imagine rooms that transform with the needs of our community. Imagine a modern fitness center where people of all circumstances have more space and updated tools to meet their wellness goals now and decades ahead.
While our renovation schedule is moving quickly, we’re committed to minimizing disruptions, a short timeline, and delivering a better experience for you. With this in mind, members should anticipate the following:
- After May 3, at 9:00 AM, Summit YMCA’s front entrance, Lobby, Wellness Center, Weight Room, Teen Center and Kid Zone will be closed.
- The Summit YMCA will maintain partial operations with the use of the back entrance, and both indoor pools and locker rooms will remain fully functional.
- A new group exercise and gym schedule, as there may be periods of limited availability and/or access to studios on the 2nd floor.
- Increased communication regarding temporary entrances or closures.
- Please note, the Y programs and services you know and love at the Summit YMCA are also available at the Berkeley Heights YMCA. If you have not visited the new Berkeley Heights YMCA yet, we encourage you do so during this transition, so you can envision some of what is to come in Summit and stay connected to your favorite Summit YMCA staff in the interim.
- As an additional option, members may visit any other preferred local YMCA at no additional cost, as part of your Nationwide Membership privilege. Learn more at www.thesay.org/nwm.
As one the area’s leading nonprofits, the Y exists to provide opportunities so everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. We are extremely thrilled to share this moment with you, our community, and strengthen our dedication to providing quality programs, resources, and services so that every individual can reach their full potential.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this exciting yet challenging phase of construction and tight timelines. For more information about the project, follow all updates and progress, view FAQ, ask questions, donate, or get involved, please visit www.sayfuture.org.
Sincerely,
Terri Clinton
COO
Paul Kieltyka
President & CEO
Kaitlin Casey
VP of Advancement
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
The Y. For a Better Us.®
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Please note, the Summit Area YMCA uses The SAY Mobile App to send important notifications to its members, however, your mobile app notification settings must be turned on in order to receive these alerts. For mobile app notification assistance, please ask a staff member or visit www.thesay.org/app for instructions.
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA
In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men’s Christian Association, but today, we are The Y. An association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.
Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 17,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.
