Introduction
SOMERSWORTH — A local fitness center has come forward offering a solution for clients of the Rochester Granite YMCA of Strafford County who are upset the facility will close at the end of September, leaving many seniors and other adults with no fitness class options.
What is The Works offering?
Staff at The Works Family Health and Fitness Center in Somersworth, a division of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and Mass General Brigham, said they saw what was happening and wanted to help. They reached out to offer discounts and other incentives to bring people to their center.
Stephanie Corey, senior business operations manager at The Works said they are looking at starting up some classes in Rochester. She said they already have similar class offerings now in Somersworth, with the added bonus of their swimming pool.
What happened to Rochester YMCA?
Rochester area adults and seniors were informed the Rochester facility will close permanently at the end of September. The childcare part of the center will move to Somersworth YMCA. Many people were upset because they are losing not only classes they have taken for years, but the sense of community formed over the years.
Mary Doty, a Barrington resident who has used the Rochester YMCA for many years, led a charge seeking answers. She said she has been contacted by staff at The Works.
“I think this is wonderful,” she said. “I am working to try and get that news out to as many of us as I can.”
What support is available for former YMCA members?
Corey said The Works will offer discounts, scholarships, and additional classes tailored to former YMCA members, particularly seniors. She said their pool is an added advantage because of the popularity of their aqua classes.
“After discussions with YMCA administrators, and many of their concerned members, it became clear that the closure would most significantly impact the club’s older population,” Corey said. “We understand the importance of having fitness options available in local communities. So, when we heard about the YMCA’s closure, we knew we had to act. Our membership is at an all-time high, with nearly 9,100 members, and our senior classes are among our most popular. Our commitment to the health and wellness of all our neighbors compelled us to create new options that will hopefully help many of these seniors continue to achieve their fitness goals.”
What specific offerings are available?
The Works will be welcoming YMCA members by offering them customized opportunities in four key areas:
- Waiving all joining fees for senior YMCA members who join The Works in September and October, along with the existing senior membership discount.
- Increasing the number of midday senior-focused classes in disciplines similar to those offered by the YMCA.
- Increasing the number of discounted scholarship memberships by 50%, raising the total to 75, awarded based on financial need and other hardships.
- Encouraging enrollment in other senior programs, which provide substantial support and affordable access to the facility.
The Works is also exploring the possibility of providing limited classes in the Rochester area.
“We reached out to the YMCA staff,” said Corey. “We have members who have already joined from there. We also offered a chance for instructors there to come and talk with us about possibly joining our staff. We got a copy of their class list so we could see where the greatest need might be.”
What will happen to the former YMCA space?
One question Doty has that she says has not been answered yet is what will happen to the current YMCA space.
“They have the space and the equipment,” Doty said. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if The Works could take over that already available space to offer classes here?”
Lorrie L. Piper, vice president of marketing and communications for the Granite YMCA, said she was not certain whether the YMCA had been contacted by staff at The Works.
“I know that our director reached out to several gyms and facilities in the area,” she said.
As to what will happen to the space once they vacate, Piper said it was a question for the property owner/landlord.
Contact Information
YMCA members interested in learning more can contact The Works at 603-742-2163 or via email at theworksmembership@wdhospital.org or visit the club online at theworkshealthclub.com.
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