Faced with the challenge of reviving the Greensburg YMCA’s financial health in the midst of a covid pandemic, YMCA leaders promised Tuesday the facility will be open for the next 12 months and are looking at an 18-month plan to sustain the community landmark.
“We’re not looking anytime soon to lose this Y. The goal is not to close the Y,” Suzanne Printz, chief executive officer of the YMCA, told about 26 people who gathered Tuesday at the South Maple Street facility for a town hall meeting on its future.
Printz, who assumed the post of CEO in mid-December, said she does not foresee it closing, other than by a government order, such as what occurred last year during the covid pandemic.
“Members need reassurance that they are not going to close,” said Darren Busch, who is part of the YMCA swim team.
The town hall meetings were held at what has become a crucial time for the YMCA. While its child care center and swimming pool had remained open last year, the YMCA reopened its fitness facilities in mid-June for the first time since Sept. 30.
Membership is about 25% of the pre-pandemic level of about 2,100 household units, Printz said.
The YMCA staff and board have set the ambitious goal of reaching 50% of pre-pandemic membership by the end of the calendar year and 75% within the end of the fiscal year, on June 30, 2022, Printz said.
The YMCA had been operating at a $150,000-a-year deficit and could not sustain those losses. It plans to address those losses within the next six to 10 months and conduct monthly assessments of the programs it offers, Printz said.
The YMCA did get federal aid during the pandemic, two payments of $300,000 each through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which helped sustain it during the pandemic.
Printz addressed what has been the “elephant in the room”: the YMCA’s decision not to reopen in January, after the governor had lifted restrictions on fitness facilities.
The YMCA did not reopen until June 14, long after other fitness centers opened their doors to members.
The nonprofit did not have the investors that private fitness centers have to remain open, nor do the privately owned fitness centers provide access to programs to those who cannot pay — to the tune of $70,000 to $100,000, Printz said. The YMCA also was short on staff to safely reopen, she said.
“We’re trying to keep it open and hire staff,” such as part-timers, Printz said.
Volunteers, donors needed
But Printz and other board members said they need the help of volunteers who will work with the YMCA in a variety of roles to make the reopening succeed. The YMCA needs more donors for annual support and the capital campaign. A typical YMCA generates 20% of its budget through donations, Printz said, but “we’re not even touching that 20%.”
People associated with the YMCA swim team are willing to help with volunteer effort, said Brandon Busch, YMCA swim team assistant coach, but they need to hear from the leadership that the facility will remain open.
What won’t change for the YMCA is the old building that needs repairs and is challenged by daytime parking controlled by Greensburg’s parking meter enforcement.
“It’s an albatross,” said attorney Mike Stewart, a longtime member and supporter of the YMCA.
But Stewart said, “you have to create excitement” about the YMCA and its programs.
Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at 724-836-5252, jnapsha@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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