Spencer Family YMCA set to open in Bethel Park
Although the ice rink side of the new Spencer Family YMCA in Bethel Park has been operational since August, the second half of the 72,000 square-foot building is still undergoing renovations and will officially open May 1.
Leading up to the official opening is a series of events scheduled for the last week of April, including a Community Open House on April 30. Administrators plan to announce a full schedule of grand opening events in the next few weeks.
The building, located at 305 Church Road in Bethel Park that occupies the space of the former Blade Runners Ice Rink, has been purchased and renovated at a cost of $12 million.
“When the property went on the market, we looked at it and found it to be a good fit,” said Ken Soliday, YMCA regional executive director from North Huntingdon. “The closest facility Y is the Western Area Y in Coraopolis, which has similar features to ours except it has no swimming pool.
To configure the new facility in Bethel Park, management remodeled one of the previous two Blade Runners ice rinks and added more locker room space in one half of the former building. Since August, staff has offered some learn-to-skate programs and partnered with the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association and Bethel Park High School by giving them access to the rink.
“In the future, we will hold some additional learn-to-skate programs for the public but there will be no public ice skating sessions as such,” said Andrew Kowalewski, marketing director for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
The second half of the building will house two swimming pools – a lap and family pool with water features – along with a multi-purpose partial gym and a cardiovascular and strength building Wellness Center. The facility will also offer youth and adult swim classes, child watch services and upwards of 50 classes including indoor cycling, Pilates, yoga, Zumba and Les Mills group exercise classes, which will be included in the annual membership fee.
The second floor of the building will house three group exercise studios and a community meeting room.
Already the new Y organized a First Day 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Fun Walk in January.
“Over 200 people showed up for the two fundraisers meant to support our special needs camp – Camp AIM,” Kowalewski said.
On Jan. 1, the former South Hills Y officially changed its name to the Spencer Family YMCA.
“Historically, three generations of the Spencer family has been involved in the YMCA, especially our parent-child, camping and special needs programs,” Soliday said. “They live in the South Hills and have been in the community for generations. Besides contributing financial support to Camp Spencer, our special needs camp for youth and adults in Fombell, Beaver County, they made a significant contribution to our new Bethel Park facility.”
For 40 years, the South Hills YMCA owned a piece of property in the Jefferson Hills called the Cloverleaf Y, which had a seasonal outdoor pool. Recently it sold that property. It also owned another outdoor seasonal pool in Upper St. Clair, which it sold a few years ago.
“Historically, the South Hills Y is known first and foremost for its Guides and Princess program,” Soliday said. “The programs brought dads and their sons and dads and their daughters together for year round activities such as ice skating, snow tubing and weekend camp outs at one of our three overnight camps – Camp Soles near Seven Springs, Deer Valley in Fayette County and Camp Kon-O-Kwee in Fombell, Beaver County.
“We also taught a lot of people how to swim by providing lessons at school district and municipal pools,” he added.
As a non-profit, Soliday said that one goal the Y strives for is to allow individuals and families on a demonstrated need basis to participate in Y activities and membership through its financial assistance program called One Y For All.
“One Y For All and the ability to be all inclusive speaks to our goal to serve 1 in 10 people in Allegheny County through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” Kowalewski said.
The Spencer Family Y will begin selling memberships on March 1. To enroll of for more information, phone Russ Brown at 412-833-5600 or email him at rbrown@ymcapgh.org.