Progress on the revamping of the Bucks County YMCA located in Fairless Hills is coming along quite nicely with sights set on a March reopening .
As you pass the work taking place on the 600 block of S. Oxford Valley Road, a glass windowed fronting is in place, which gives the in progress overhaul a gleaming look from a distance. Especially on bright days.
The project, which was originally proposed in 2020 had to be scaled back due to costs, officials said last year at a Bristol Township Council meeting.
The scaled back plan, which council approved, meant the original 4000 square foot child care center was removed from the plan and also a shrinking of a planned expansion of the site was scaled back by approximately 12,000 square feet.
In 2020, over 10,000 members were served, in which 1700 were seniors with more than 900 children participating in child care and camp programs, said Todd Hurley, chief volunteer officer of the Lower Bucks Regional Advisory Board of Directors for Y in February.
Recently locals have inquired about the much anticipated reopening looking forward to regaining an important locally based resource focused on health and wellness.
YMCA of Bucks County Chief Marketing Officer, Amanda Wappes said Friday plans are in the works for the Fairless Hills Y’s relaunch.
At this time, we are planning for a mid-March completion, she said.
The new plans also call for a reconfiguring
of the the space within the building to gain additional usable square footage, while at the same time decreasing the structures footprint to create additional and much needed parking. The gymnasium, walking track and pool will be painted and refreshed with an observation area added to the aquatics center. Plans also include an expansion of the fitness center to accommodate additional cardio equipment and free weight space and a dedicated space for NovaCare Rehabilitation.
Additionally, a new universal locker room with private changing rooms is being constructed and the exterior of the building will undergo a face lift. The building will be completely ADA accessible, officials said in a recent update about the renovations.
The work which started earlier this year was celebrated with a virtual zoom call as the first walls were brought down in February.
YMCA officials hoped the revamping of the site would be completed by this fall with an “accelerated time line.”
“The Fairless Hills facility is the oldest of our five branches, and building additions over the years have created a labyrinth of hallways and small spaces,” commented Zane Moore, president/CEO of YMCA of Bucks County. “Allowing for appropriate social distancing in the post-pandemic climate would be near-impossible. This prompted our move to not reopen the facility to members in order to fast-track the renovations. We look forward to opening a beautifully renovated, more spacious facility for our members and the community in the fall of 2021.”
Although no specific reason for the reopening delay was given, supply chain issues have hit almost every industry across America.
“As this date draws closer, we will announce a grand opening date to the community” Wappes said.
The cost of the project comes in at $12 million, according to Y officials.
Jeanne Krier
February 20, 2022 at 11:18 am
Does the YMCA take silver sneakers insurance?
Jeff Bohen
March 10, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Jeanne,
That’s a question better addressed to Y Officials. You can contact them by calling (215) 949-3400