TOMS RIVER-Mayor Thomas Kelaher joined members of the Ocean County YMCA to cut the ribbon to the new family activity center located at the Toms River facility.
The new family activity center sits atop what used to be the facility’s old six-lane swimming pool which had been filled in and transformed into a family health and exercise center.
According to the YMCA, it 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.
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.”
To kick off the event, children from Zzack G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation sung the national anthem.
“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 Peter Rosario and the Y team for transforming the nearly 50-year old Y with the new wellness center.
“This new facility has so much to offer, providing our members with a more modern workout facility and room for specialized sports training,” said YMCA Board Member Jonathan Petro. “Although some members were sad to see the smaller pool go, converting the smaller pool to the Family Activity Center moves our organization forward to meet the needs of our community.”
Petro said the YMCA did a cost/benefit analysis and a survey of their service area and learned that their patrons would be better served with a full gym and that the needs of our swimming members could be met, by and large, through the more efficient use of our 12-lane pool.
“As mayor, the main concern is the welfare of your residents and quality of life,” said Mayor Thomas Kelaher. “I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited over a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This is going to contribute more to the value of our citizens individually, but also as a family unit.
