YMCA providing reciprocal memberships

YMCA providing reciprocal memberships
Dayton Daily News
by Katherine Wright
November 14, 2014

YMCA members in Ohio can now use any of the organization’s facilities in the state following an agreement reached this fall.

“This is really a benefit for someone who maybe lives in Dayton but works in Columbus, or vice versa,” David Thompson, group vice president of Greater Dayton YMCA, said. “Now that member can have access to the YMCA close to home, and close to work.”

Thompson said the program, which became effective in October, is designed to offer more flexibility to members. So far, Ohio memberships are only reciprocal in Ohio, but Thompson said that Massachusetts has also launched a similar program. He said he expects other states will follow suit if the program is successful in Ohio.

“At this point, every YMCA in Ohio has signed on to the agreement,” Thompson said. “It’s an exciting step forward because this makes any Y membership good at any Ohio YMCA.”

Previously, all members of the Greater Dayton YMCA had membership privileges at other Greater Dayton locations, but not at outlying locations, such at Lebanon or Springfield.

Springfield YMCA director Paul Weber said the agreement will benefit all local YMCA members.

“People have always thought that we could do this. It was difficult in the past because we didn’t have the technology, and most Y locations were focused on their own communities,” Weber said. “But all the directors started talking about it, and it was unanimous that we wanted to do this.”

Although the program limits access to some YMCA services, members will be able to use the basic services at all YMCA locations, and can take advantage of certain services their local YMCA doesn’t offer.

“For instance, our South YMCA has a gymnastics center and teaches gymnastics lessons for preschoolers and school age kids, and has a wonderful competitive gymnastics team,” Thompson said. “That’s something that’s unique to our south YMCA. Not everyone has a swim team, so each Y reflects the community’s demographics and availability of space.”

Some services will be limited, however. Participating YMCAs reserve the right to restrict facility or program access, and some local programs, such as the Fitness Factory classes at the Y in Huber Heights, are not included in reciprocal membership. Thompson said the decision to restrict access was based on the small class size and lack of space.

Lisa Babb, a Springboro mother of four who has been a member of the Greater Dayton YMCA for 12 years, said the reciprocity agreement will provide more options for her family.

“I’m glad to see another example of the Y looking to do what’s best for the health of all families,” Babb said. “Everyone seems to be more mobile than ever now, so I think it was good that they looked for new ways to accommodate the changing needs of the membership.”

The program is valid for YMCA full privilege members only, and members must use their home branch at least 50 percent of the time. Members must present a valid YMCA membership card and photo ID at their first visit. Nearby locations and restrictions can be found at ymca.com.