New Fulton County YMCA facility opens
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
Fact Box
IF YOU GO ...
What: New Fulton County YMCA
Where: 213 Harrison Street Extension, Johnstown
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Membership costs: Youth (17 and younger), $100 annual fee; adult (18 to 61), $480 annual fee; family, $660 annual fee; senior (62 and older), $420 annual fee.
Phone number: 848-3447
JOHNSTOWN - Many members took advantage of their first opportunity to use the new Fulton County YMCA Monday, filling the basketball courts, the day care rooms and pool on the facility's first day of business.
The Johnstown and Gloversville branches of the Fulton County YMCA closed for recreation Aug. 15 in preparation for the new YMCA's opening. The East Fulton Street facility in Gloversville remains open as a low-income housing provider.
Chief Executive Officer Steven Serge said despite a few minor glitches, the YMCA's first day on Harrison Street was a success.
"We've been very pleased with the steady foot traffic," he said. "Everything is going pretty well."
Membership Director Peter Riley said by the end of the day, he expected to see at least 200 visitors enter the building.
"I saw children as young as 6 weeks up to 86-year-olds using the pool this morning," he said. "I think that pretty much sums it up."
Along with the facility being open to its approximately 2,000 members, tours of the facility are being provided for non-members, Serge said.
Riley said the facility is unique in that it encompasses the entire family.
"The facility is a gem the community can be proud of," he said. "What we do here is very unique. The programming involves the whole family."
Visitors were impressed with the facility, Riley said.
"People are very surprised at how nice it is," he said. "The old facility [in Johnstown] had a long life, but it was time for this."
About 20 campers with the YMCA's Summer Camp program gathered in one of the day care rooms to hear a story from a camp counselor. Next door, care givers served spaghetti to a group of toddlers.
Nathan Littauer Hospital's HealthLink services, currently in the Pyramid Mall in Johnstown, will move to the new YMCA within the next week, Serge said.
Justin Salvione of Johnstown was playing basketball with a couple friends Monday afternoon and said he was impressed at how well organized the facility is.
"It's a lot nicer, a lot bigger and a lot cleaner [than the Johnstown facility]," he said. "I'll come here three or four times a week, at least."
Kerry Hague, also of Johnstown, brought her two children, Judah, 7, and Stella, 3, to the facility, and said she anticipates using the babysitting services.
"It's just fantastic, clean and new," she said. She said she is looking forward to taking her children to classes and swimming lessons. She said she will use the babysitting service so she can exercise knowing her children are being looked after.
David Loucks of Gloversville said he is a long-time YMCA member who has been active with the organization for years. He said he was impressed with the new facility.
"I give it an A-plus," he said. "It's very pleasant."
Loucks was leaving the facility after having used the showers, the sauna and the whirlpool, he said. He said he anticipates coming back to use the swimming pool and to exercise.
The facility will conduct a grand opening ceremony Sept. 6 at 11 a.m.
Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.
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RageoftheDay
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08-27-08 1:57 PM
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I guess I was typing with my feet earlier reclaim. LOL Listen, reclaim, o, and sewage, I don't know what the answer is, I don't have any stake in this whatsoever, I don't even really care what happens to the Y except having another vacant building in an already struggling dowtown. Just look at the crap on the opposite corner that was supposed to be developed by "Two Great Guys". Where are they? All I am saying is, it's the Y's building and they can do what they want within the code. Why not sit down with Steve Serge, voice your concerns and see if the Y can put together some kind of standard for accepting applications for residency, if they do not already exist. It just might tunr out ok. I you meet with Serge and there is still a problem, rage and protest away. Just trying to play devils advocate here. BTW I have no cronies, I don't like people.
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ReclaimGville
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08-27-08 10:35 AM
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OK "Lowincome" is that better Rage?? As for you not living in Gloversville, I don't think you are qualified to tell us whether we have the right to be opposed to what is potentially going to happen at the old Y. Could I call Steve Serge one of your cronies or would that really bug you???
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RageoftheDay
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08-27-08 10:02 AM
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Thanks for clearing me up regarding your point reclaim. I understand that low-income housing is a potentially volatile issue, especially for the people that live near low-income housing. And would rather use lowincome than low life. Seems to me by reading the paper, there is are low lifes living in other areas of gville outside downtown. I think Steve chose this reuse because this housing is already provided at the Gville Y and would not be difficult to expand can't do it in Jtown. And no, I don't live in Gville. The y in Jtown is for sale. Why don't you buy it and move in there? As for the people taht live at the Y, I would guess taht the Y does some type of screeing to live there. Your anology of lowincome being low life is starting to really bug me.
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ReclaimGville
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08-27-08 9:56 AM
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You are missing my point! How are we going to progress here if we keep opening up our doors to this type of housing????
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morningstar
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08-27-08 9:38 AM
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The problem with arguing against low-income housing at the old Y is that there already it that there...and in houses across the street...and in very nearby neighborhoods. It would seem to me that the Y and Steve Serge have little to do with all of that. Besides, I hear it will be tied up in court for years anyway. TY, Rage.
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ReclaimGville
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08-27-08 9:16 AM
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I also was wondering why Sarge didn't have that same type of vision for Johnstown's old Y.? Is it because he lives in Johnstown and he doesn't want that type of housing there???? If it is such a great idea in Sarge's eyes, what they are doing to the old Y here in G'ville, why not do the same thing to the old Y in J'town???
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ReclaimGville
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08-27-08 9:10 AM
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Rage my problem isn't with the new Y, ( I heard it is awesome) it is with what is happening to the old Y. This city, to move forward, does not need that type of housing in our downtown. Yes Sarge had a vision with the new Y, but he went blind when deciding what was best for the old Y!!!! That is my contention Rage. Rage let me ask you, do you live in Gloversville? And if you do, do you like the idea of lowlife housing in our downtown??
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RageoftheDay
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08-27-08 7:34 AM
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areyouthinking - I bet you can take the bus to the new Y. Save your pennies!
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RageoftheDay
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08-27-08 7:33 AM
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Reclaimyourself - if you want to thank someone, go the Y, take down the names of the foundations and people that donated thousands and thousands of hard earned dollars and write them a thank you letter. Also, thank you to Steve SERGE for having the persistence and perseverance to see this through. BTW when pointing a finger at someone, reclaim, notice 3 are pointing back at you.
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RageoftheDay
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08-27-08 7:28 AM
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morningstar - take solice in knowing none of these people will be coming to the new Y. You are arguing with the uninformed and unenlightened. They will put down any sort of positive progress. The cost to use this facility is a BARGAIN given the amenities and programs it offers. Fortunately, there are 2000 families that also agree with you morningstar. I suspect that number will grow as the workd gets out.
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morningstar
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08-26-08 6:48 PM
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I knoow, or cigarettes or beer as well :)! My family membership went up only $72 for the whole year. Not bad considering we went from a dripping, leaking, mildewey facility to a new, state-of-the-art one. I'd rather spend my money that way than some other unhealthy recreational habits any day. Fact is, if you use it, it is worth way more than what you pay for it. Compare it to a single membership at other places and you'll see.
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ReclaimGville
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08-26-08 3:33 PM
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For just over $12 a week isn't to bad to live in the old one!!!
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Onesies2
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08-26-08 3:29 PM
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Just stay out of the filth pool. The doctor visits and hospital stays are real expensive!
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IKnooow
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08-26-08 3:11 PM
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Just over $12 a week isn't too bad for a annual family membership. Better investment than eating at McD or going to a movie, both of which would cost twice as much for a family of four.
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ReclaimGville
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08-26-08 3:06 PM
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Good, now that the new Y is opened, we are one step closer to realizing our dream for downtown. Lowlife housing!!!! Thanks Sarge!!
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areyouthinking
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08-26-08 1:12 PM
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Congratulations on the opening. Just wondering how many people can afford those membership fees, along with the gas to drive there?
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