Family Y opens larger Evans location
Gym has more space, equipment for members
A new and much larger J.H. and Katherine Marshall Family Y is now open in Lenox Plaza shopping center on Washington Road in Evans.
The nearly 12,000-square-foot facility is three times larger than the former Family Y facility in the Eagle Pointe shopping center, said Donna Waite, a family services coordinator for the Y. Employees closed the former operation Nov. 17 and spent three days moving workout equipment and office materials in preparation for the Nov. 20 grand opening.
The new Family Y doubles the number of free-weight stations and machines of the previous facility, has a large aerobics classroom and three separate activity rooms for infants and toddlers, on up to children ages 5 to 12. The new building also offers expanded locker rooms and a classroom for spinning, which Waite said is like aerobics on a stationary bike.
"So many people have been excited to see us grow," Waite said. A lack of space was a complaint among many of the Y's 1,600 Columbia County members, he said.
Bill Best, of Evans, took his daughter Abby to the Family Y Wednesday so she could check out the activity room for adolescents and its playscape while he ran on the treadmills. A member for about a year, he said the new facility was a vast improvement.
"I love it. It's much better," Best said. The new gym comes with more equipment, more room and a larger staff, he said.
Dena Schumacher, of Evans, said she also liked the new gym.
"The new kids rooms are a lot bigger. There are more staff and more toys," she said.
The Family Y is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call the Family Y at (706) 364-3269 or visit its Web site, www.thefamilyy.org.