The Orthman Community YMCA will host an open house on Friday, May 21, from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the new YMCA Learning Center.
The public is invited to the FREE event to enjoy a meal of hamburgers and chips, play yard games and tour the new Learning Center, which gives the YMCA more space to reach children and adults with learning, enrichment and fun.
The new YMCA Learning Center was formerly a modular building at Sandoz Elementary School. It was moved to the YMCA property earlier this year, and YMCA staff have remodeled it into a new program space.
“The YMCA Learning Center gives the Orthman Community YMCA room to grow and enhance current programs and have space for new programs,” YMCA CEO Riley Gruntorad said. “One of the biggest needs we face at the Y is space. As we continue to grow, we need more space for programs, staff meetings, board meetings, etc.”
“The YMCA management team has put in countless hours of work, pulling up flooring, painting the walls, doors, trim and lots of cleaning and organizing, but we are so excited for the future of our YMCA and the addition of this building,” Gruntorad said.
Gruntorad said the YMCA’s Adventure Kidz clubs will meet in the Learning Center, and it will also allow the Y to offer additional yoga or group exercise classes.
The Y also will rent the space to community members.
“We know that there aren’t enough spaces to rent in our community when it comes to birthday parties, baby showers, graduation receptions, corporate meetings, clubs like 4-H and Boy Scouts,” Gruntorad said. “This building is going to help fill that need in our community.”
The new Learning Center is north of the YMCA. It is 1,800 square feet with two classrooms and bathrooms. One side is furnished with a full kitchen, ice machine and washer/dryer. The other room has a large smart TV for meetings and presentations.
Leave a Reply