Cleaning out the cupboards at the Y

SYDNEY — As familiar things begin to reopen, so are the yard sales.

A spring sale takes place today at the Frank Rudderham Family YMCA in Sydney from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. It is a cash-only event.

“For the last week we've just sort of been mucking out and getting ready for our reopening,” said Anita Vosmano'rourke, director of member relations at the YMCA.

“We want obviously to look fresh and it's an opportunity to get rid of stuff that hasn't been used.”

The sale had been on the organization's "to do" list for awhile, inorder to open more space, so unused furniture was moved out and closets cleaned out.

“We usually give things away but it's tough to do that during COVID-19,” Vosmano'rourke said. “We just needed to clear spaces out.”

Items for sale include office furniture such as chairs, desks and filing cabinets as well as gym equipment including steps.

“We have all kinds of steppers with the risers and they've done their time with us,” she said. “They'd be great for inhouse workouts.”

One of the premium items for sale will be a commercialgrade bouncy house that cost $3,000US and will be sold for $750 or best offer by noon today. The house only takes minutes to blow up.

“It's a beautiful bouncy

house that would look great in someone's backyard this summer,” she said.

People attending the sale are asked to stay in their cars until 9 a.m., at which point they will be directed to a lineup in the alley between the YMCA and Subway. Social distancing will be enforced.

The sale will be held in the gymnasium and 10 people will be allowed inside at one time.

“We'll make sure there is social distancing and they will be screened at the door as they enter to make sure that they're abiding by the guidelines of COVID-19,” Vosmano'rourke said.

YMCA volunteers will not be permitted to help carry items outside. Vehicles will be able to pull up to the back door to collect purchases at noon.

“People will also have to sign something that it's being sold ‘as is,' as everything is used so we don't want to be liable for any of that. Everything will be cheap, we just want to get rid of the stuff rather than take things to the dump.”