YMCA opens for business, welcomes members

Date: 9/19/2014

AGAWAM – After years in the making, the town finally has its very own YMCA.

The Agawam YMCA Wellness & Program Family Center, 63 Springfield St., opened on Sept. 15. The 8,500-square-foot area offers a health and wellness center, a group exercise space, a café, a technology center, a child development area and a community meeting space. The total building size is 10,000 square-feet.

A single membership, ages 23 to 64, costs $30 monthly and for teens, ages 12 to 22, $20 monthly. Families pay $50 monthly and seniors, 65 and older, pay $25. Other price options are available.

“I am both excited and pleased to have the Agawam YMCA Wellness & Family Center open here in our community,” Mayor Richard Cohen said. “It has been a lot of work by many outstanding diligent and devoted individuals working together to make this a reality.”

Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, anticipated the center’s grand opening would be conducted sometime in early fall.

“People are signing up every day,” he said. As of Sept. 15, 100 members had signed up.

Smith described the location as an “anchor to reinvigorate this plaza” and said it is “centrally located” for convenient access. Long term, he hoped the center would serve between 3,000 to 5,000 people.

“We may one day have a larger Y with a basketball court and a pool,” Smith said, adding that expansion would depend upon the community’s needs.

“We’re here to serve the community and are open to suggestion [for classes and programs]. Bring us the ideas. Let’s be creative and have some fun,” Kristine Allard, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, said.

Cohen stated, “I look forward to a long and positive working arrangement with the YMCA and all the other family oriented businesses in this area that are providing family entertainment. It also fits in with the future plans and revitalization of the Walnut Street Extension area of Mixed-Use zoning recently passed by the City Council.”

The mayor continued, “The location of the new ‘Y’ is perfect as it fills a space in the newly renovated shopping area on Springfield Street (the site of the old Food Mart) and is located with plenty of parking and easy access for everyone in Agawam and surrounding communities.”

Smith explained the technology area would feature laptops and classes for every skill level from children to seniors. He cited the importance of being able to extend science, technology, engineering and math learning outside of school as a motivation for the section. The room has a Smart board and its computers are scheduled for installation in October.

“We’re different than a traditional fitness center. It’s a community-meeting place to be social. Come on down, we’re finally here,” Allard said.

The center is open from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. To learn more about program offerings at the Agawam YMCA, visit www.springfieldy.org/family-centers/agawam-ymca-program-and-wellness-family-center.