Neighbor News
Ocean County YMCA Introduces New Family Activity Center
Local Leaders & Partners Celebrate Y's Commitment to Strengthening Community
Community leaders, partners and volunteers helped celebrate the grand opening of the Ocean County YMCA’s new Family Activity Center at a fall festival, “Building a Stronger Us,” on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The new 6,800-square-foot wellness arena is all about “strengthening families and our community,” said President and CEO Peter Rosario. “We are excited to help members and our community grow stronger in this expansive wellness space that enhances our ability to provide more educational programs that promote healthy decisions, and activities that support health and well-being for all.”
Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, who had the honor of performing the ceremonial ribbon cutting, said in his past 12 years as mayor he has never presided over a ribbon cutting that will do more to improve the quality of life of residents, “not just individually, but as a family unit.”
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The center, which replaces a 6-lane swimming pool, features the latest in functional fitness and training equipment, and is designed to maximize opportunities for members of all ages to interact with each other through a wide-array of fitness challenges, group exercise classes, and personal and group training.
“This space is truly unique and the first of its kind in our community,” said Brian Tramontano, chairman of the Y Board of Directors. Tramontano commended Rosario and the Y team for transforming the nearly 50-year old Y with the new wellness center.
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Rosario thanked the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation for their ongoing support over the past four years. He also recognized the OceanFirst Foundation, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, and an anonymous donor who contributed toward the Family Activity Center.
YMCA members and guests got to tour the new center on Saturday, sample a fitness class, meet with certified personal trainers and gain helpful health, wellness and safety information from over 18 community partners, including the Toms River Family Health & Support Coalition, Ocean County Health Department, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health.
The fall festival also included musical performances from the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, and plenty of games and activities for children and families, including swimming, pumpkin picking, crafts and snacks.
Ocean County residents are encouraged to stop by the Y for a tour of the new Family Activity Center and to learn more about membership, healthy living programs and youth development programs including swim lessons, childcare and summer camp. As a nonprofit, the Y provides financial assistance for membership and programs based on need.
The Ocean County YMCA is located at 1088 W. Whitty Road. For more information about the Y, call 732.341.9622 or visit www.ocymca.org.
About the Ocean County YMCA
The Ocean County YMCA is the area’s leading nonprofit charity serving 8,000 members. We’ve been strengthening our community for nearly 50 years with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Guided by core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the Y is dedicated to helping everyone grow in spirit, mind and body regardless of age, income or background. We’re located at 1088 W. Whitty Road in Toms River, NJ. For more information, call 732.341.9622 or visit www.ocymca.org.
