The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina has officially opened its eighth local branch. The Black Mountain YMCA, formerly the Cheshire Fitness Club, is in the Village of Cheshire off Hwy. 9.
The 17,000-square foot wellness facility features a fitness area, indoor pool, exercise studio, and child care center.
The YMCA of WNC is making numerous improvements to the facility, says Jennifer Murphy, vice president of membership and healthy living for the YMCA of WNC.
“Members will see that we’ve installed new cardio equipment and added lifeguards to the pool,” Murphy said. “In mid-September we’ll begin to transition the racquetball court into a multipurpose room and larger Youth Development Center. This winter look for the addition of new strength equipment in the Wellness Center. As we develop new programs and make other improvements, we look forward to gaining a clear understanding of the needs of the community.”
The location complements the Y’s existing services in the Swannanoa Valley. The Y has provided afterschool care for more than a decade at Mountain Elementary, Black Mountain Primary, and W.D. Williams Elementary. Local residents have also benefited from charitable programs such as free food distribution, nutrition education, youth mentorship, and scholarships for afterschool child care and summer camp.
The Y is a volunteer-led, nonprofit charitable organization with many opportunities for community and donor involvement. One of those opportunities is the upcoming installation of a KaBOOM! playground at Black Mountain Primary.
The YMCA of WNC obtained a grant for the project, which is funded by Foresters Financial and local donations. Community volunteers are needed on Saturday, Oct. 6, to help build the playground. Sign up at www.tfaforms.com.
The public is also invited to two events to celebrate the opening of the Black Mountain Y. The Black Mountain Swannanoa Valley Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting is Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 2:00 pm, and a community open house is on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.