Hopes to Open in Former YMCA

MCKENZIE - Bethel College announces plans to reopen the former YMCA Fitness Center in McKenzie in the coming weeks said Walter Butler, Bethel's director of business affairs.

"Since the closing of the center in November," Butler said, "Bethel has been working closely with McKenzie Regional Hospital and Ready Set Go Fitness to determine the feasibility of reopening a center in the same location at 103 Main St., that would be affiliated with the college. We believe a fitness center is needed in McKenzie and is a viable project."

Butler said representatives from Bethel's administration and athletic department have been talking with community leaders, former clients and board members of the YMCA center to get a broad spectrum of thoughts and ideas.

"We have relied heavily on our friends at McKenzie Regional Hospital and on Phil Campbell of Ready Set Go Fitness for their expertise," he said. "Every avenue we explore, there seems to be support and a real enthusiasm for the reopening of the center.

"The former facility had served a large group of devoted clients," Butler noted. "We hope these clients will be patient with us for a few weeks while we get the venue back up and running."

According to Butler, there have been a number of individuals who have worked diligently to see that a fitness center be available for the community.

"Ty Butler of McKenzie Regional Hospital, Phil Campbell and our athletic director, Glen Hayes, have spent many hours on this project to determine what type of center is needed and what type of equipment is best for the wide variety of clients it serves," Butler said. "I feel certain that we will have a facility that everyone will be proud of and that everyone will be proud to use."

Bethel Athletic Director Glen Hayes added, "We are so excited about this project. We are ordering all new equipment and are awaiting its arrival. Hopefully, in January, we will have the facility open. I envision it being multi-purposed. It can be used by our entire community and can be used by our students and athletes, too. The potential for this endeavor is unlimited."
According to Butler more information about an actual opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.

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