Writer/ Julie Yates
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Westfield residents now have a temporary facility that makes the wait for the highly anticipated Ascension St. Vincent YMCA a little easier.
The YMCA Studio at Westfield on South Union Street opened to the public in September. While smaller than the future permanent structure, it gives the community a sampling of the YMCA leaders commitment to health of mind, spirit and body.
As planning continues for the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA on the corner of 181st Street and Wheeler Road, a decision was made to introduce the community to the YMCAs mission through a Y Studio, says Tony Wise, association senior director of public relations and marketing communications at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. This conveniently located studio is just a mile east of the future facility.
Visit YMCA Studio at Westfield Online!
To celebrate the opening, a special showing of the new facility and its amenities was held September 24.
The YMCA Studio offers group exercise programs including a Les Mills portfolio of classes. The facility includes both performance and cycling studios. Classes are geared toward adults, but children over the age of 11 can attend with a supervising adult. The cost is $59 a month per person, or $99 a month for two people living at the same address. Income-based pricing is available for those who qualify.
Customers will get unlimited access to a full suite of fitness classes, Wise says. This newly remodeled space, formerly an antique shop previously converted from a bus station, also includes free onsite parking and child-care services for children ages one to 10.
Wise says the facility will eventually offer wellness programs for all ages.
Options may include services that have been successful at other central Indiana YMCAs, like the LIVESTRONG program for cancer survivors, EnhanceFitness to manage arthritis, and the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, Wise says.
Phase 1 of construction for the Westfield YMCA is currently underway on 10 acres of land donated by the Wheeler family, and the project is the result of a partnership between Ascension St. Vincent and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. The facility will connect to the 35,000-square-foot Westfield Washington Schools Aquatic Center, which will be managed by the YMCA.
Input and donations from community partners and private citizens are currently needed for the project.
We are excited about the privilege for the YMCA to serve Westfield, and look forward to providing the community with an initial opportunity to support their health and wellness journey, said Derrick Stewart, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, in a recent statement.
The YMCA Studio at Westfield is located at 144 South Union Street. For more info including program details and pricing, call 317-713-1080 and visit indymca.org.
Contact Shannon Russell, major gifts officer, at 317-713-8546 for fundraising information.
