By Cass Rains, Staff Writer
A 7,000-square-foot ex-pansion of Denny Price Family YMCA not only will expand the facility but also enhance its services to its members and the community.
“This is Phase IV of a plan first developed back in 1998,” Executive Director Ken Rapp said of the expansion that broke ground last summer. “This is the final phase of that plan.”
With the construction, the nursery and childcare area will expand. The building also will create a new American with Disabilities Act level entry on the south side of the building and a new front counter and administrative offices. New rest rooms and a new chapel also are in the works, as well as a youth fitness arcade.
“It triples the size of our current space,” Rapp said of the nursery and childcare area expansion.
He said free childcare is provided to adults while they work out.
The first level will house all fitness equipment and free weights, consolidating equipment to one area to allow a full workout without travel through public spaces or between floors.
Rapp said consolidating also will allow YMCA staff to offer more help and supervision because they will not have to travel between rooms.
“It’s going to put that all together in one big room,” Rapp said. “We are spread out all over the building, and that creates an inconvenience for people.”
A new lobby and larger front counter will allow for fast and better customer service, as well as easier sign-up for services, Rapp said. Hallways are being widened, and a new stairwell is being created.
The bottom floor will become an interactive youth fitness area.
Rapp said games such as Dance, Dance Revolution and others requiring physical interaction for play will be available in the new area.
“We’ll probably have some games that are popular at home like the Nintendo Wii Fitness,” he said.
“It is an opportunity for technology to encourage our youth to exercise,” said YMCA Board President Martie Oyler. “We’re excited to bring that opportunity to the youth here in Enid.”
Rapp said expansion was spurred by a growth in membership, which is about 7,800, and is expected to be completed by May or June. Once the addition is complete, renovation of the facility will begin and is expected to be completed by November or December.
“This renovation is really aimed at all age groups, the whole family,” he said.
