BEVERLY, MA — The YMCA of the North Shore has dedicated the Edwin J. Soul YMCA in Beverly, marking the organization's newest YMCA and what it described as a new chapter of service in the Greater Beverly community.
The ceremony brought together former Beverly Athletic Club staff, new YMCA staff, Beverly Athletic Club founder Ed Soul, and YMCA President and CEO Chris Lovasco.
The facility, formerly the Beverly Athletic Club, is 40,000 square feet and is now part of Greater Beverly Y operations.
The YMCA said the transition followed Ed Soul's search for someone to continue the health and wellness legacy he built over 25 years at the Beverly Athletic Club. Soul said he recognized the YMCA as the right fit because the organization's mission aligned with the commitment to the Beverly community that had been established at the club.
Tim Flaherty, executive director at the Greater Beverly Y, thanked Soul and his team for their role in the transition over the past four months.
"This would not have been possible without the generosity of Ed Soul, the collaboration of his team, and the hard work of the Y staff to breathe new life into the space," Flaherty said.
The new location includes an age 16-and-older fitness center with equipment from Matrix, E-Gym, Hammer Strength, EGYM, and Life Fitness. Members also have access to a warm saltwater pool, specialty classes and swim lessons.
The facility now operates as part of the Greater Beverly Y network, expanding the YMCA's local footprint and its available health and wellness programming in Beverly.
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