Pottstown YMCA branch to close its doors
POTTSTOWN » Two announcements by the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA in 2017 came as a surprise to Pottstown residents and members of the Pottstown YMCA.
The first announcement came in August, when members of the Pottstown YMCA, located at 724 N. Adams St. in Pottstown, learned that the South pool area at the branch would close Sept. 11.
According to the announcement, YMCA management reached the conclusion “after examining the negative financial impact and our ability to maintain two full-size pools” at the facility.
“It’s a question of being able to sustain both pools,” said Shaun Elliott, Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA president and CEO, in an interview following the announcement, adding that closing the South pool was expected to save $200,000 in annual expenses.
“People would prefer to continue to have both options available. But from a sustainability issue of matching revenues with expenses, we had to close one of the pools,” he said.
The second announcement, which also dealt with the is-
sue of expenses came just before Thanksgiving when the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA said it would be closing the Pottstown branch effective June 29, 2018.
The facility’s 142 employees were informed about the decision first, and then the branch’s 5,500 members received an email followed by a letter.
In a Nov. 21 interview, Elliott said there are “significant building issues” that will require an investment of $11 million in repairs over the next 10 years. He added that $3 million of that amount is needed for what are being called “critical” repairs, which must be done quickly.
“The amount of deferred maintenance over decades has caught up to us,” Elliott said, adding that the repairs, coupled with the facility’s annual operating deficit of $700,000 led to the decision.
One of the most critical issues is with the boiler, according to Elliott — at a replacement cost of $500,000.
“The repair companies say repairs can no longer be done and they need to be replaced,” Elliott said. “That triggers the question — what can we afford to maintain? We have to figure out a way to serve the community in a more sustainable manner.”
While the physical branch is closing, Elliott stressed that the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA is committed to finding a long-term solution to closing the building.
“We are committed to serving the Pottstown community going forward. This decision was really about having a building that was not sustainable,” he said.
Elliott said the YMCA in Pottstown will continue to offer licensed full-day preschool at a new childcare center in Pottstown and will offer school care and summer camp within the Pottstown School District.
In addition, the organization is looking for a facility to rent, where the YMCA can offer fitness and wellness programs.
“…we remain committed in our service to Pottstown. We believe there are more sustainable and engaging ways to be present in Pottstown and currently offer many programs outside of our Y walls. We will look to grow these programs and offerings in the coming months,” according to the email to members.”
Asked whether there will be layoffs, Elliott said no staff layoffs are planned.
Elliott said a task force would be formed to discuss alternate ways of providing services to the Pottstown community. The group will include representatives from Pottstown, including a representative from the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation, as well as representatives from the YMCA and its board of directors.
The Pottstown YMCA merged with the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA Jan. 1, 2013 and serves Pottstown, Trappe, Sanatoga, Douglassville, Elverson and surrounding communities.