YMCA opens doors to flood of visitors

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 24, 2001

The New Tampa Family YMCA kicked off efforts to enlist members by bringing a circus-like atmosphere to its grand opening.

Clowns, jugglers and even a unicyclist worked the crowd of nearly 1,000 people checking out the new facilities east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and south of Interstate 75.

"We turned the parking lot over at least three times, and we have 250 parking spots," manager Debbie Metzger said of the people who came by during the three-hour open house on Saturday. The YMCA features a 24-foot climbing wall, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two basketball courts and a 6,000-square-foot fitness area.

Families can join for $125 initial fee and $60 a month. There are no limits on the number of children. "So if you have 10 kids that are all still at home with you, they can belong," said Metzger. Individual memberships cost an initial fee of $100 and $41 a month. Metzger said membership extends to all Tampa metro area YMCAs.

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