Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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HEALTHY HAPPENS HERE: Updated Machine Access Policy for Teen Wellness Center Certification Participants

Effective beginning July 1, 2024

At the Y, teens, ages 13-15, who wish to have access to fitness and cardio equipment in the Wellness Center are required to complete a Teen Wellness Center certification class. This 45-minute class provides participants with a comprehensive and informative training on how to properly utilize strength and cardio equipment.

Per YMCA policy, members under the age of 16 are not allowed to use free weights or plate loaded equipment. For the safety of all members, beginning July 1, 2024, teens, ages 13-15, will NO longer be permitted to use cable machines in YMCA Wellness Centers. For the convenience of members, blue YMCA stickers are displayed on each piece of equipment teens who have completed the certification class are allowed to use in the Wellness Center.

If you have any questions about this policy or would like to learn more about the YMCA’s Teen Wellness certification class, please stop by the Membership Desk or speak to a member of our Health and Wellness Team. Classes are $20 per person and are open to YMCA Facility Members.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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Working Together to Make Your Y Better: Facility Improvements at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Spring Renovation Projects Set to Get Underway on Friday, March 22

To better accommodate the needs of our members and the community, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA will be completing several exciting renovation projects in the coming weeks:

Kids Corner
Construction will begin on Friday, March 22.

While renovations are underway, Kids Corner will be relocated to the Preschool Room. Capacity will be limited during this time.

PLEASE NOTE: Kids Corner will be CLOSED on Friday, March 22 and Monday, April 1.

Our renovated Kids Corner will feature new furniture, toys for kids of all ages, fresh paint and welcoming graphics, and a new play structure.

While Kids Corner will reopen for member use on April 2, improvements to the space will continue to be made over the next several months. Final renovations, including the installation of the play structure, should be completed by early summer.

Activity Center
Closed from March 22-April 2

Renovations will also be completed in the Activity Center, which is designed for kids, ages 7-17. Our renovated Activity Center will feature new furniture, new computers and gaming systems, Infinity gaming tables, a TV, expanded arts and craft stations, and more.

The Activity Center will reopen for member use on April 2, and improvements will continue to be made in the space over the next several months. Final renovations should be completed by early summer.

Program Room (Located adjacent to the Activity Center)
Closed from March 22-April 2

Improvements will also be made in the Program Room, which is utilized throughout the year for Fab After 50 events, community meetings, and Day Out of School and Summer Camp activities. The Program Room will be painted and new kitchen equipment and cabinetry will be installed.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during our construction period. We look forward to sharing these renovated spaces with our members and the community in the coming weeks. Please watch for project updates on our Facebook page and via email.

If you have any questions, please contact Executive Director Lisa Behounek at (815) 267-8600 or via email at [email protected].

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Celebrate Your Birthday Party at the YMCA

A birthday party at the Y is a great way for children to celebrate their special day and create lasting memories with family and friends. The Y provides a dynamic and engaging day of activities while relieving you of the stress that comes along with planning everything by yourself. Our “no mess, no stress” approach to parties allows you to choose from a wide range of activities and then our talented staff will handle all elements of the party, from setup to clean up!

Learn more about birthday party options by contacting your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Erika Pollastrini
[email protected]
(815) 726-8600, ext. 237

Galowich Family YMCA
Tracy Wrase
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 315

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Facility in Grundy County

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was excited to welcome the community to a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Morris Hospital YMCA on Wednesday, May 31. More than 300 people were in attendance to help the Y celebrate the construction of the new facility, which will be built in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers on land adjacent to Morris Grade School.

Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Christina Van Yperen opened the event by welcoming guests and introducing Morris Community YMCA employee Paula Lutz, who provided the afternoon’s invocation.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair then reflected on the Y’s journey in Grundy County, celebrating the amazing dedication of the YMCA volunteers who laid the groundwork for the new Morris Hospital YMCA more than 15 years ago. She also recognized the heroic contributions of the Capital Campaign Cabinet and Y staff, past and present, and thanked the Y’s Board of Directors for their unwavering commitment to the project. Leclair also praised the leadership team at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers for their continued partnership.

“This is such a monumental day for our YMCA and the Grundy County community,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “We owe so much gratitude to our amazing volunteers, our generous donors, our hardworking staff, and our wonderful partners at Morris Hospital. The new Morris Hospital YMCA will be a place where people of all ages, from all walks of life have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are so excited to begin construction of this new facility and continue to serve the residents of Grundy County,” added Leclair.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO Tom Dohm then stepped to the podium to share the vision for the continued partnership between the hospital and the YMCA.

“From the start, the partnership between Morris Hospital and the YMCA has been a perfect match,” Dohm said. “Like Morris Hospital, the YMCA has a strong family focus and serves all people, regardless of their ability to pay. Both the hospital and the YMCA are non-profit organizations dedicated to strengthening the community through healthy living. Partnering with the YMCA helps Morris Hospital further focus on preventive care. Our mission is all about improving the health of area residents. We are honored to carry the name of our community’s new YMCA, and we are so grateful to everyone who has had a part in making this vision a reality.”

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin then addressed the crowd, thanking the elected officials, community partners, employees, and YMCA members who have provided support for the Y over the years and continue to serve as an inspiration for the project.

Morris Community YMCA Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair Kevin Olson then highlighted the incredible dedication of the volunteers that have championed this project over the years. Olson also celebrated the long-term contributions the new Y will have on Morris and Grundy County, and was excited to announce that the Y has expanded plans for the lap pool at the new facility from six lanes to eight lanes. 

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board President and Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair Guy Christensen then stepped to the podium to thank the community on behalf of the Y’s Board of Directors and recognized the efforts of the project’s Building Task Force, architect, general contractor, and team of owner’s representatives, whose hard work will help to bring the future facility to life over the next 18 months.

Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair Jackie Wohlwend closed the program with an inspirational ‘Get it Built’ message, echoing the words of her late husband Ron, who we know will be with us every step of the way as we work tirelessly to complete this project and open the doors for the new Morris Hospital YMCA to the community.

Construction of the new Y will begin this summer. The facility is expected to open to the community in early 2025. To learn more about the Morris Community YMCA’s Capital Campaign, please contact Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin at (815) 513-8080 or visit www.jolietymca.org.

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Morris Community YMCA Selects General Contractor for New Full-Facility YMCA in Grundy County

The Morris Community YMCA announced today that it has selected Narvick Bros. as the general contractor for its new full-facility YMCA in Grundy County. Construction of the new Y, which will be built in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers on land adjacent to Morris Grade School, will begin this summer. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Morris Hospital YMCA will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors, acting on recommendations from the Morris Capital Campaign Building Task Force and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Facility Committee, unanimously approved the hiring of Morris-based Narvick Bros. as the project’s general contractor at a meeting earlier this year.

“We are very excited to announce the hiring of Narvick Bros. as the general contractor for the new Morris Hospital YMCA,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “As we prepare to celebrate the groundbreaking for this new facility later this month, it is wonderful to know that we have selected a trusted and very capable partner in Narvick Bros. to build Grundy County’s very first full-facility YMCA.”

About the Y
As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit charities, the YMCA is committed to strengthening local communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. A branch of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, the Morris Community YMCA brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. Through its financial assistance and scholarship program, the YMCA works to fulfill its mission of ensuring that its programs are available to everyone and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. 

About Narvick Bros.
Founded in 1933, Narvick Bros. is a general contracting and construction company that specializes in carpentry, masonry, concrete, design/build, and construction management. Based in Morris, Illinois, Narvick Bros. is family-owned and operated and is committed to providing superior, creative, and distinct construction services.

To learn more about the Morris Community YMCA’s Capital Campaign, please contact Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin at (815) 513-8080 or visit www.jolietymca.org.

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Working Together to Make Your Y Better: Facility Improvements at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

We are excited to share that we will be installing new flooring in the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s fitness center next week. We thank you in advance for your cooperation as we work with our vendor to complete the installation in a timely manner.

Wednesday, May 17

  • New flooring will be installed in the fitness center. The fitness center will remain open for member use, but some areas and equipment will not be accessible during installation.

Thursday, May 18

  • Flooring installation will continue. Members looking to access the fitness center between 8-5 p.m. will need to enter through the emergency exit door on the north side of the Y. Representatives from our membership team will be located at the entry door to welcome you and scan your membership tag.
  • The cycle room will be closed from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday. Classes will run as-scheduled.
  • Fitness Studio #1 will remain open. Members will be able to access this space through the main hallway.
  • Members requiring access to the Kids’ Corner Supervised Playroom, restrooms, or locker rooms will need to exit through the emergency doors and utilize the main entrance. Portable restrooms will be available outside. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Later this month, we will also be installing new equipment in the fitness center. Please watch for more information coming soon on these improvements.

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