Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the following categories to get more information about the YMCA Facts, Statements and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions – Winter 2010
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & HOURS OF OPERATION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE NEW YMCA FACILITY
VISION & MISSION
The Vision of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard is to create a year round recreational community center that brings Islanders and visitors of every age group and economic level together in one place to help them attain their individual goals in a balanced holistic method.
The Mission of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, individuals, families and the Island community by helping our members realize their fullest potential through the development of body, mind, and spirit. Through our programs, we aim to achieve the following goals:
- To provide year-round services for youth, adults and families
- To prevent and intervene with at-risk youth and teens
- To bring different sectors of Island life together through the offering of a multitude of services and intergenerational opportunities
- To develop health and prevention programs, leadership development, job skills training, learning opportunities, and leisure activities for these identified groups.
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
When did construction begin?
We began construction the first week of April with steel rising out of the ground by the 4th of July.
How long will it take to build the building and when will the doors open?
Our contractor is telling us they should be able to get this building up in 10 months with an opening scheduled for May of 2010.
How big is the building going to be?
The building will be built in two phases. The first phase will be approximately 38,000 sq .ft.
What will be included in Phase I?
Indoor Aquatic Center
Group Exercise Studio
Strength and Cardiovascular Conditioning Center
Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center
Child Watch Room
Outdoor playground and basketball court
Café
What will be included in Phase II?
Gymnasium with Indoor Track
Expanded Teen Center
Climbing Wall
Program Areas
Can the Gymnasium be added to Phase I if we raise more money?
Yes, our hope is to exceed our current fundraising goals enabling us to move forward with the construction of the Gymnasium towards the end of Phase I construction. The Gymnasium will require and additional $1.3M -$1.7M.
Can the expanded Teen Center be added to Phase I if we raise more money?
Yes, however the Teen Center will not require the same steel construction the main building does. Therefore it’s possible the Teen Center can be added with traditional frame construction from existing Island trades. The expanded Teen Center will require just under $1M.
How much does the building cost?
The total hard costs (bricks and mortar) and soft costs (furnishings, permits, site clearing etc.) of the building for Phase I is approximately $10.3M.
Will you have a playground?
Yes, we will have an outdoor handicap-accessible playground on our property.
Will there be parking?
Yes, there will be parking on the Y property, shared parking with the Ice Arena and plenty of parking across the street at the High School.
FUNDRAISING
Have you raised all the money?
No. We are still about 1.5 million short of our capital campaign goal; however, our fundraising efforts continue. This shortfall is critical to our opening with a full compliment of staff, facilities and programs.
What is the Tile Campaign?
The Tile Campaign is your opportunity to have a picture(s) of your choice permanently placed inside the Y Facility. Your picture is embossed onto the face of a tile. We have set aside an 80’ corridor next to the entrance to the locker rooms for displaying these tile photographs. Your contribution will help raise money for new programs once the Y facility opens. Please visit our Tile page. You may also contact our Development Director, Christine Todd at ctodd@ymcamv.org for more information.
PROGRAMS
Will the After School Program move to the new building?
Yes, the YMCA after school program will operate from the new YMCA facility beginning in September 2010.
Will you provide transportation of students to the YMCA for After School Programs?
Yes, children attending Y classes will be transported from school to the Y where they can be picked up by parents or take VTA transportation home.
Will you have a summer camp?
Yes, we will be operating a nine week summer camp at the new Y facility, which will take place both inside and outside the facility.
What programs will you offer?
Programs and services are under development and we hope to offer many traditional YMCA programs as well as Island-specific programs. Please contact us if you are interested in offering programs through the Y.
Programs included in membership will include:
Teen Center
Parent /Child clases
Group exercise classes
Healthy Cooking classes
Water Aerobics
Senior Programs
Programs offered at an additional cost will include:
After-School Program
Group Swim Lessons
Summer Day Camp
Swimming Lessons
Swim Team
Personal Training
WELLNESS CENTER
What kind of fitness equipment will you have?
The Y will have a mixture of elliptical, treadmills, strength training equipment (circuit training), stationary bikes, free weights, exercise balls and mats. The elliptical and treadmills will have individual TV’s with headphone hookups.
Will there be TV’s in the wellness Center?
Yes, TV’s will be mounted on the walls in front of the treadmills and stationary bikes.
What programs will take place in the studio?
We will provide Yoga, spinning, aerobics and ball exercise classes just to name a few. All group exercise classes will be included in the cost of your membership.
TEEN CENTER
What will be in the new Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center?
The Teen Center will have pool and ping pong tables, computers, Studio 57 for recording music and videos, and a lounge area.
AQUATICS
How many pools will there be?
There will be one pool, but with two very distinct areas for different types of activities.
Lap Swimming and Water Activities
One area will be for lap swimming, swim lessons and other water activities. The lap sections is a 25 yard, 6 lap lane competition (short course) length swimming pool. The shallow end will be 3’8” and the deep end will be 10’.
The Family Pool Area
The family pool area is 2’6” at the shallow end and 5’ at the deep end.
There will be a large slide at the deep end of the pool.
What is the temperature of the water?
We expect to keep the water temperature at 82 degrees in both the family pool area and lap lanes. We know that lap swimmers would like the temperature a little cooler (low to mide70’s) but we need to make a compromise with the adjoining family pool and provide a comfortable temperature for water aerobics and stretching.
Will there be chlorine in the pool?
Yes, the state of Massachusetts requires all commercial pools to have some level of chlorine in their water; however, our pool will utilize a system that minimizes chlorine to less than 2%.
Will you offer swim lessons and will they cost money?
Yes, the Y will make group swim lessons available to all members and there will be a charge applied in addition to membership. Our goal is to make lessons affordable for everyone.
Will the High School be able to use the pool for swim lessons?
Yes. The YMCA currently has an agreement to allow the MVRHS 365 hours of swim time per year in exchange for leasing the land. Any additional hours needed for physical education will be worked out with the high school.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & HOURS OF OPERATION
What will be the hours of operation?
Our hours of operation will be: Monday – Friday 6AM-9PM, Saturday 7AM – 6PM and Sunday 8AM – 5PM.
Who can become a member?
Memberships are available for men, women and children of all ages and faiths. The YMCA offers various membership types to accommodate families and individuals of all ages. Visit our Membership page for more information.
How many members do you expect to have?
We are planning on approximately 3,500 people to join the YMCA through individual and family memberships.
Will I save money by paying my membership on annual basis vs. a monthly basis?
Yes. Paying the annual membership fee will save you $10 per month in required bank processing fees.
What is a Charter Membership?
Charter Memberships are memberships sold prior to the opening of the facility and are an important contribution to the first year financial success of the YMCA. Household and Individual Charter memberships are offered, and both include additional benefits on top of a regular membership including priority program registration, complimentary day passes to share with friends, recognition in a Charter Member plaque inside the facility, and more.
We will be selling Charter Memberships until the opening of the facility. You can join online or by calling our offices. For more information on Charter Memberships, please visit our Membership page.
How can I qualify and apply for a membership subsidy?
We are working on the fairest method to determine how you apply for a membership subsidy and how an individual or family will qualify. We are consulting with other Ys to help us determine the best process but rates and qualifications for subsidies will be decided by the Y staff and board on Martha’s Vineyard.
Will classes be included in membership fees?
Yes, basic classes like yoga, spinning and aerobics (studio and water) will be included. Additional fees will apply for personal trainers and programs.
Will there be babysitting services and will you charge?
Yes, there will be a drop-in Child Watch room available to members at no additional cost. Visit our Child Watch page for more information.
Will you do birthday parties?
Yes, there will a modest fee to rent the family pool and a room to hold a party. Usually this is a two hour event – one hour in the pool and one hour in the room.
Will you rent the building out for special events?
It is possible to rent the entire building after hours and many Ys hold sleepovers or “lock ins” for teens. Groups would have to pay a fee to cover the costs of keeping the building open.
What will you serve in the café?
Currently we are planning on smoothies, roll-ups, salads and other healthy snacks.
Will the café be open to the general public?
Yes, that is our current plan.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE NEW YMCA FACILITY
When will you begin hiring for the building?
The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard will be looking to staff the building before opening in May. Visit our Employment page for a current list of job offerings.
If you are interested in being a part of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, please check back often as we will be opening several positions as we near the opening of the facility.
YMCA FACTS
What does YMCA stand for?
Young Men’s Christian Association
Why do you keep the words “Men” and “Christian” in your name if the Y is open to everyone?
The words “Men” and “Christian” are part of the Y’s historic holdover from its founding 150 years ago. People of all faiths and gender can and do belong to Ys. The YMCA name and logo is one of the most recognized brands in the world and most people associate the YMCA with excellence in family programming and the place you go to learn how to swim.
What is the relationship between the YMCA of the USA and the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard?
The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard is an independent YMCA. It is self-supporting and raises money locally for construction and for ongoing operating costs. The National YMCA lends tremendous technical support and guidance regarding programs, facility construction and operations. The Y of the USA also provides a dedicated individual that works with us on all aspects of operations, staffing and best practices. In addition the YMCA of the USA has linked us with other Y facilities for on-going support and mentoring.
Will the National YMCA help raise the money to build the Y?
No, each YMCA is self-supporting and raises money independently for construction and for ongoing operating costs.
Is the YMCA a non –profit?
Yes, all Ys are non-profit and a portion of our operating profit relies on grants and charitable donations
Will the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard be self sustaining?
Our local feasibility studies and the proven track record of Y’s our size in communities with similar populations, have shown that our facility will be self sustaining. This will happen through a combination of memberships, fundraising and program fees.