YMCA To Stay In Fairless Hills Location With Plans To Renovate

Lower Bucks Family YMCA Board of Directors has voted to remain in its current location in Fairless Hills and is beginning plans to overhaul the dated facility to better serve the community and meet growing needs.

The YMCA listened to member and community feedback to stay and enhance the building on South Oxford Valley Road which was built in 1959 and houses a fitness center, program space, gymnasium, pool and child care center. The board consulted with an architect experienced in YMCA construction to rework the space within its current footprint to allow for an expanded fitness center, additional program space and more parking, plus give the entire building a new look.

Four years ago, the board of directors assessed the condition of the current building, estimating the investment required to repair the inner workings of the Y, including updating the systems and machinery, to be roughly $2 million. Given this number, coupled with the dire financial situation of the Y at the time, the board determined the only option was to sell the current property and start fresh at another location.

“Having come to this conclusion, a property committee was formed and over time they evaluated nearly twenty properties in the area,” said President/CEO Zane Moore. “Concurrently, the Y sold two adjacent properties, paid down debt and became stronger operationally. The regained financial strength of the Y and lack of availability of the ‘perfect property’ led the board to re-evaluate the viability of staying and renovating the current building.”

After detailed analysis and careful consideration of numerous factors, including feedback from residents and current Y members, the board concluded that staying at its current location was the best option for the health of the Y and its members and community.

“We worked hard over the last couple of years to improve our financial situation and are proud to honor our commitment to serving our community in Lower Bucks. We are excited to give our 60-year-old building new life with a completely updated look and feel, while also providing more space for expanded programs, activities and parking,” said Paul Kawoczka, Chair of Lower Bucks Family YMCA Board of Directors. “The demand for financial assistance and our free community impact programs continues to grow and we are dedicated to meeting these growing needs in a renovated facility.”

In June, Moore met with representatives of Bristol Township to share the Y’s plan to renovate its current facility. “The township is pleased to hear the YMCA will be staying in Bristol Township. It is a valued community resource that serves residents of all ages and circumstances,” commented Bill McCauley, Bristol Township Manager. “We look forward to working with the Y as their plans unfold and throughout the renovations.”

The YMCA makes a big impact in Lower Bucks with $1,823,605 in community benefit provided last year, helping 11,244 people live more active, healthy lives. The Y serves the community with its community impact programs, such as free memberships for 7th graders, a lifestyle program for adults with prediabetes, a 12-week program for veterans to improve their health and fitness and free swim safety lessons for qualifying second graders. This is possible in large part to the generous support of donors.

Lower Bucks Family YMCA has a rich history, serving generations of community members at the Fairless Hills branch and, more recently, in Newtown and Morrisville. The Y’s community benefit includes a record $451,041 in financial assistance in 2017, providing 619 individuals access to affordable childcare, camp, fitness programs and more. The need for financial assistance continues to grow in Lower Bucks. So far this year, there has been a 107% increase in demand compared to this time last year.

The Y is in the first phase of a significant campaign to raise the needed dollars to move forward with the project. The organization is making great progress and will be inviting and asking their members and the community to join in supporting the project as they get closer to their goal.

An early partnership gift of $2 million from NovaCare Rehabilitation will support the Y’s vision and investment across Bucks County as the Y and NovaCare share a deep commitment to improve the health and wellness of the tens of thousands of residents and families served throughout the community.

With anticipated continued fundraising success, Lower Bucks Family YMCA expects to break ground on the renovations in 2019. Every consideration is being made to minimize disruption to the local community. The Y is making plans to continue programming for members and the community with minimal interruptions during the renovations.