Bigger and better, new site opens for Marshall Family Y

After undergoing months of preparation, the Marshall Family Y opened Monday in a larger location with additional amenities for fitness enthusiasts.

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The 19,000-square-foot facility will hold its grand opening Saturday in the Evans Town Center on North Belair Road in Evans, but was already packed early Monday as soon as it opened its doors.

"I think the big difference is that there are some things they're going to experience before they even get into the building that they're going to enjoy," said Family Y President and CEO Danny McConnell.

The new center is 7,000 square feet larger, and includes the latest technology and equipment installed inside, McConnell said. In addition, members and guests will benefit from ease of access into the shopping center and four times more parking spaces than the former location, he said.

Family Y opened its first Columbia County facility in January 2003 and reopened a larger center in the Lenox Plaza shopping center on Washington Road in November 2006.

The Marshall Family Y is considered the gym of choice by about 6,700 members.

"Part of the reason we wanted to move is we outgrew the current facility so quickly," said Millie Schumacher, Family Y's community relations director. "It was so well supported by the Columbia County community."

The downstairs area of the new facility houses cardio equipment and a room with weight machines and free weights. There are two group fitness rooms and four childcare areas upstairs.

The locker rooms are equipped with a new feature: a sauna.

"We'll be adding some additional group fitness classes to have more than 100 group exercise classes weekly," Schumacher said.

The grand-opening event will be 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday. Tours of the center and free food will be offered. Children and adults also can participate in inflatable activities and fitness demonstrations.

In honor of the Marshall Family Y's grand opening, people can sign up with no joiner's fee at any Family Y locations Friday through Sunday.

The new center is in a central location that is convenient for existing members, Schumacher said.

"It's really going to be a great facility," she said. "I think members and guests are going to just be really excited about it."