On Friday, October 20, the renovated Summit YMCA reopened to a community eager to come inside. The staff were full of smiles and greetings as they reunited with members in the Y’s iconic brick building on the corner of Maple Street and Broad Street. The interactions between staff and members were a pleasant reminder that the YMCA exists to bring people together for the better good.
The Summit YMCA construction project, which began in May 2023, marks the start of an era for this beloved local nonprofit organization. Last renovated in 1998, the first and second floors of the building now reflect a modern, open-concept space that can serve up to 6,000 families.
Our goal was to maximize the usable space of this 82,000-square-foot building, so we can provide even more individuals with best-in-class offerings,” said President and CEO Paul Kieltyka. “We are about bringing the community together, and this exceptional space will allow us to do exactly that.”
The remodeled Summit YMCA comes complete with state-of-the-art fitness centers across two floors, a high-tech Teen Center, lounges where neighbors can gather, and a new Kid Zone for those in need of exceptional childcare services while they utilize the Y. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of its swim team, it also features a stunning back hallway with photos that capture the spirit of the team throughout the years.
“This building is, and always has been, more than brick and mortar,” said Summit Area YMCA Board of Trustee Chair Maria Brugg. “It is about providing a valuable resource to our neighbors. From financial assistance to free programs that include food distribution and activities for youth with special needs, the Summit YMCA is and will continue to be a safety net for many generations to come.”
A local nonprofit organization, the Summit Area YMCA is known as a leader in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. With the help of generous donations, the Summit Area YMCA provides financial assistance to follow through on its commitment to being a community hub where people from all economic backgrounds can reap the physical and mental health benefits of socialization.
As the Summit YMCA reopens, its staff invites everyone to come inside to not only enjoy its first-rate fitness centers but to also take part in meaningful community interactions. Local residents can currently take advantage of a seven-day free trial to start their journeys at the Summit Area YMCA.
Visit www.thesay.org/belong today to set up a tour.
About the Summit Area 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 everyone can 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.
