Rancho Family YMCA remodeling, expanding

By Emily Sorensen

Members of the Rancho Family YMCA might have noticed a little drywall dust around recently.

The YMCA has been undergoing numerous changes and remodeling, adding new exercise equipment, redoing the pool and expanding the Child Lodge.

Mark Thompson

The remodel is to enhance the health and wellness experience for our members, said Mark Thompson, who joined the Rancho Family YMCA as executive director in July, after 20 years of working with various YMCAs, including being the executive manager of Camp Surf for 15 years.

People are asking for high-tech, cutting-edge equipment and classes, said Thompson. Our focus is to serve more people and enhance the wellness of the community, as well as making the YMCA more of a family affair. Your community is stronger and better when you have people who are well.

The Wellness Center has been completely redone, with new, state-of-the-art cardio equipment from Precor with high-definition televisions, and Internet access for members beginning in January. It creates an Internet profile that looks at the users whole health and wellness, said Thompson.

The Aquatics Center, which is currently closed and will reopen Monday, Jan. 14, is also getting a facelift, with the pool being resurfaced and LED lighting being installed for a more contemporary look. General maintenance is also being performed on the Aquatics Center.

Rancho Family YMCAs Program Center is also getting a major overhaul, with a new indoor studio space being added, which will allow the YMCA to offer more cutting-edge classes, including indoor cycling with brand-new Kaiser bikes, Zumba, yoga and more. The Program Centers remodel will continue past January.

Finally, the Child Lodge, which provides childcare for up to two hours for parents who want to work out, is being expanded, something that Thompson hoped would be finished by the end of January.

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Rancho Family YMCA remodeling, expanding