Members of the East Area YMCA will see a dramatic increase in programs this fall.
That’s because the organization will be purchasing and expanding the Eastside Racquet Club, located at 140 W. Seneca Turnpike in Manlius, for $2.2 million on June 27.
The new facility will open July 16, although renovations to make the building more attractive and safe will continue into the fall, said Chris Iven, director of communications for the YMCA of Greater Syracuse. A grand opening will be held once the renovations are completed.
Iven said the 60,000-square-foot facility will draw in “health seekers of all ages.” Currently, the YMCA of Greater Syracuse has more than 40,000 members, Iven said, and this number is expected to increase once the Manlius center opens.
“There are people who don’t yet belong to the YMCA who will want to join as a result of this facility,” Iven said.
The Manlius YMCA will house five outdoor tennis courts and three indoor tennis courts. The remaining interior space will be renovated to provide new specialty health and wellness programs and an athletic performance-training center.
Some of the health and wellness programs that will be offered at the Manlius site are Live Strong for cancer survivors, as well as programs for pre-diabetic and diabetic members.
“All of our programs really are geared toward strengthening the community as a whole,” Iven said.
The indoors athletic performance-training center will help both kids and adults improve their athletic ability, Iven said. The center will consist of a short sprint track, for those looking to improve their speed and strength, a weight area and a small indoor turf field.
The turf field will be a major improvement to the East Area Y, Iven said, because it will be a space where interested athletes can play indoor sports, such as lacrosse or soccer — a benefit, especially during the winter.
The site will also house a before- and after-school childcare program for 40 children.
All YMCA members will have access to the new facility, and regular program fees will apply. Members of the East Side Racquet club will be invited to become Y members if they aren’t already.
Although the addition of new tennis courts and programs will be a nice benefit to current members of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, Iven stressed that with the addition of a new training center, turf field and additional programs, the Manlius YMCA “won’t just be a tennis facility.”
