This summer, the Oswego Family YMCA celebrates its third anniversary at its current location and realizes the significant growth achieved in this short timeframe.
Brent Finlay, Executive Director, said the YMCA has had a strong presence in the community ever since the move to 160 E. Washington St.,the former Traughber Junior High School.
“The new location has allowed us to showcase what a Y can do and be for the community we’re serving. It has absolutely proved to everybody that the Y is very much necessary in Oswego and Montgomery,” he said.
When the Y left its Mason Square location in August 2009, it had 390 members. Memberships now surpass 4,300, said Finlay.
Finlay said one significant change was the addition of a swimming facility through a partnership with the , which began early last summer.
More than 1,000 kids took swimming lessons last year and 135 kids are currently enrolled in swim lessons, according to Finlay.
The YMCA will begin offering preschool this fall at Wheatland Salem Church in Oswego. Classes are offered in the mornings for children ages 3 to 5. Finlay said they anticipate enrolling 60 kids and registration is ongoing.
“The YMCA is without walls,” Finlay explained. He said the YMCA is happy to utilize space within the community to offer additional opportunities.
The YMCA is a charity and doesn’t turn anyone away for financial reasons.
The YMCA will receive proceeds from the August 5 Allied First Bank’s Triathlon, which is a short course triathlon.
Donations received through the annual campaign stay within the community, Finlay explained.
“We’re proud of the work we’re doing,” Finlay said. “Everyone is committed and unified in our vision of providing excellence to Oswegoland.”
Finlay said he’s most excited about what the future offers for the YMCA, which he said involves building a larger complex.
“There’s a lot more coming and we’re very, very excited,” he said. “There’s a wonderful, incredible future. We just have to go through the necessary processes to get there.”
