Representatives of three regional YMCA organizations have announced a new reciprocal membership agreement, which will allow members of one association full use of the facilities and programs of the others.
Participating YMCA organizations include the Bedford Area Family YMCA and its branches; the Franklin County Family YMCA and its branches; and the YMCA of Roanoke Valley and its branches. The branches include Y facilities in Bedford City, Moneta, West Lake at Smith Mountain Lake, Rocky Mount, downtown Roanoke, Salem, and Gainsboro in northwest Roanoke.
At a gathering of YMCA staff and volunteer officials at the Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Roanoke, Cal Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA of Roanoke Valley, noted that the three associations represent over 40,000 members and YMCA program participants, and have combined annual operating budgets of over ten million dollars.
“This agreement will allow us to serve our members and communities as never before,” Johnson said, “making YMCA membership more valuable than ever.”
Dave Lawton, the Executive Director of the Franklin County Family YMCA, stated that a “cooperative and collegial spirit is found among local YMCA’s throughout the country,” and said that the new regional agreement will be “a great benefit to all the participating communities.”
“YMCA’s build strong communities,” added Mary Jo Boone, Executive Director of the Bedford Area Family YMCA, “and this opportunity to work more closely together makes it possible for our local communities to become part of the larger community. Since our members cross county lines to shop and to work and to live and to play, it makes good sense to make all our Y facilities available to them.”
Regional YMCA Membership Information
Bedford Area Family YMCA:
Founded 1981
Membership 3,100
Program Participants 1,500
School-age Childcare 400
Financial Assistance (last FY) $50,000
Bedford Facility 40,000 sq. ft.
Moneta Facility (temporary) 10,000 sq. ft.
Franklin County Family YMCA:
Founded 1995
Membership 6,000
Program Participants 2,000
School-age Childcare 175
Financial Assistance (last FY) $233,000
Rocky Mount Facility 47,500 sq. ft.
Essig YMCA Youth Center 25,500 sq. ft.
Smith Mountain Lake Facility 28,000 sq. ft.
YMCA of Roanoke Valley:
Founded 1883
Membership 16,500
Program Participants 11,500
School-age Childcare 700
Financial Assistance (last FY) $1.25 million
Downtown Kirk Facility 70,000 sq. ft.
Salem Facility 54,000 sq. ft.
Gainsboro Facility 7,000 sq. ft.