YMCA, Center Court announce plan to merge facilities

Talk about it

Overcrowding is not expected with the partnership of the YMCA and Center Court Fitness Club.

But if it does happen, it would be a wonderful thing, officials of the two facilities said Monday at the formal announcement.

“We hope we have more people than these facilities can handle,” said John Staley, director of the Grand Forks Park District, which operates Center Court.

Deb Thompson, CEO of the YMCA, said the two clubs have a combined 3,000 memberships. “Growth-wise, we’re looking at another 500,” she said. “As with anything that’s new, you see an initial increase.”

More members

Minot is among smaller cities that have more health club members than Grand Forks. “Our big goal is to make those who are not active to become active,” said Cam Tweten, Center Court general manager. “We believe there’s a small percentage of our public who are members of a health club.”

The partnership means that, beginning Oct. 1, membership in one facility will have the ability to use the other for free. Memberships will cost the same at both places — monthly fees of $18 for youth, $48 for individuals and $65 for families. The rates are close to the previous rates, with the big difference being the family rate is $10 a month less than what Center Court currently charges.

The YMCA’s niche is in youth programs and its pool. Center Court’s strength is tennis and specialty training such as acceleration regimens. The crowding concern is related to the pool and tennis courts.

Pluses are that the dual membership means the availability of more programs and the convenience of working out at a facility on the north end or south end.

Center Court and the YMCA began partnership talks with the move toward building a wellness center to replace the deteriorating Center Court. They joined forces to raise money for a new wellness center and also YMCA improvements, with a sharing of the facilities and the revenue then.

“But we believed so much in the partnership and how great it was for the community that we figured why wait for the new community facility to be in place,” Tweten said.

Each facility will have an open house the week of Sept. 14-20, when everyone can participate at both facilities for free.

Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com.

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