Changes are underfoot at the Y

If you haven’t taken a visit to the Washington County Family YMCA in a while, you may notice a few differences lately, with more changes to come.

“We’ve really focused on updates to reinvest in our facility as a way to give back to our members,” said Y CEO Kristy Purlee. 

The Y recently received a Hoosier Uplands grant, which covered the cost for some security cameras and an automatic door opener on the front doors. The Y has added some new furniture and games for the lobby as well.

“We wanted to give people a place to hang out and enjoy their friends,” said Purlee. “We’re also repainting and we’re working on a new focus wall as well.”

Most recently, the Y has been closed for different activities due to the installation of some new flooring.

“We saw the need to replace the carpet,” said Purlee. “Our priority rooms were ones that dealt with youth and we’ve been working a lot on youth programing. Carpet isn’t the most sanitary or easy to clean.”

The Y replaced the carpet in the preschool 1 and multipurpose room with Recreation 30 flooring, a thin, rubbery flooring that looks similar to a matte linoleum when it’s installed, but is a softer surface for little ones to run, jump and fall on.

“It was designed for childcare,” said Purlee. “There won’t be a worry about carpet burn if they fall and it will be softer and very easy to clean.”

Purlee said she’s thankful for members’ patience as the child watch program was cancelled for about a week as the installation was completed. The lighter color also brightens the rooms and both she and Y employee Lila Sprague said they have heard compliments on the work.

“It’s really nice and clean and I feel like they’re softer,” said Sprague. “People have been pretty happy about them and I’m happy they’re happy!”

The next phase of the upgrades includes the removal of the carpet in the fitness center and replacing it with rubber flooring. Purlee said the phase after that includes replacing the carpet in the reception area with artificial wood flooring and replacing the carpet in the locker rooms.

“We want to reinvest in our facility,” said Purlee. “It shows our members we care about them and their enjoyment.”