Published: May 20, 2008 12:09 am            

Local YMCA eyeing 7,000-square-foot addition

Denny Price Family YMCA already has more than 7,000 members, but a new expansion may make it even more popular with the Enid community.

The YMCA plans to build a 7,000-square-foot expansion on the east side starting this summer. Marge Bailey, of the YMCA, said the building will be extended out to create a lobby and new front desk area, plus new nursery, restroom facilities and administration area that will contain offices for Executive Director Ken Rapp and Bailey, as well as a conference room and back office.

The area that now encompasses the lobby, Cybex room and nursery will become a cardio free-weight area, which is being moved from downstairs. The downstairs area will become a cardio room, including a teen fitness arcade that features video exercising machines.

“We anticipate construction in two phases: the expansion and the remodeling,” Bailey said.

With the construction, the nursery will double in size. The building also will create a new American with Disabilities Act level entry on the south side of the building. It will be adjacent to the ADA reserved parking and a circle drive for easy entrance and exit, according to information on the YMCA Web site.

The first level will house all fitness equipment and free weights, consolidating equipment to one area to allow for circuit training programs and a full workout without traveling through public spaces or between floors.

The construction will increase the YMCA area by 26 percent.

New stairs to the lower level will allow entry between the downstairs gym and new teen center program space. The teen center will contain audio/video game fitness equipment to promote casual group interactions and other programs to support teen fitness and social activities. Such activities combat childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes, according to the YMCA information.

The project is expected to take about a year and cost approximately $1.7 million. A recent capital drive by the YMCA raised just more than $1 million. This will be the fourth expansion of the YMCA, which most recently added another swimming pool and dressing room area.

The YMCA offers youth and adult aquatic programs, health and fitness programs, child care programs and youth and adult sports.

Architect Ken Corbin, who has designed each phase of YMCA expansion, said the new phase will add 7,360 square feet. He anticipates a start in July and expects construction to take until early 2009. Remodeling probably will start in the spring.

“Every phase has been a smashing success so far, and I’m sure this one will also,” Corbin said. “They have all served the community and resulted in membership increases.”