Sign up now to enjoy both old and new Ys

As the new building takes shape, a membership office is opening in a trailer at the site.

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] The fitness center at the new YMCA building on First Avenue S will contain treadmills and other workout equipment that will be lined up along a row of large arched windows.

By JON WILSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 16, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The first sign of business starts today at the new YMCA site.

As a state-of-the-art building continues to rise, a membership registration center opens at 3200 First Ave. S, and a special deal is available for people who sign up.

For $45, individuals can use the current YMCA from now until the new Y opens sometime this fall. Families get the same deal for $55. The arrangement also includes use of the new facility for a week before it opens officially.

Membership fees, as they are now, will be $35 per month for individuals and $50 for families when the Jim and Heather Gills YMCA opens.

"Basically we're allowing people to join the YMCA and be new members for a very nominal fee. And they're going to get to use this (current) YMCA for the rest of the summer," said Rick Montondo, the Y's vice president for financial development.

Members will start paying fees on the regular schedule when the new Y opens.

The registration center is situated in a trailer. A driveway off First Avenue S leads to it. It will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Looming near the trailer, the new building is taking shape. The roof is on and tiles are piled on it, awaiting installation. Arched windows are in, and a driveway curves under a long portico.

The YMCA has been conducting an $11-million capital campaign to build the 55,000-square-foot building. Among its amenities:

A six-lane, indoor pool with a walk-in entry, a spa, two-story slide and children's play area.

An adventure center with a climbing wall, high-ropes course and climbing cave.

A double-court basketball gym.

A health-and-fitness center with Technogym workout equipment.

An aerobics workout room with a stress-reduction floor.

Separate locker rooms for men, women, boys, girls, families and people with special needs.

Meeting rooms and a computer lab.

Free babysitting for people in classes or performing their workouts.

The current YMCA is at 116 Fifth St. S. For information, call 895-9622.

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