Easton, In The Valley, Press Release

YMCA UNVEILS NEW WELLNESS CENTER AND FITNESS EQUIPMENT IN EASTON



(Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)

EASTON – River Crossing YMCA hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the newly renovated and updated wellness center today at the Easton-Phillipsburg branch located at 1225 W Lafayette St. The center had been closed for renovation and equipment installation since Feb. 2.

Chris Moore, senior director of fitness equipment experience for River Crossing YMCA, (on the right) helps a member (left) navigate the on-screen settings of a newly installed treadmill at the Easton branch. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
Crystal Messer, VP of operations for the Lehigh Valley region of River Crossing YMCA, told members, staff, volunteers and community elected officials on Feb. 16 that the newly renovated wellness center at the Easton branch is just the next step on the trajectory of the Y’s impact on Lehigh Valley community wellness. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
PA State Representative (HD 136) Bob Freeman presented a certificate of recognition in honor of cutting the ribbon to open the new wellness center of the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA on Feb. 16. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
YMCA member Agnes Rawson said she loves the new treadmills at the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
River Crossing YMCA cut the ribbon to unveil the brand new wellness center at the Easton branch on Feb. 16. The new wellness center features all new state of the art strength-building equipment including free weights and jungle gyms (seen here). (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
River Crossing YMCA cut the ribbon to unveil the brand new wellness center at the Easton branch on Feb. 16. The new wellness center features all new state of the art strength-building equipment including free weights and jungle gyms (seen here). (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
Crystal Messer, VP of operations for the Lehigh Valley region of River Crossing YMCA, welcomes members, staff, volunteers and elected officials to the ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the newly renovated wellness center at the Easton branch on Feb. 16. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
Easton Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone remembered attending and working at the Easton YMCA when he was growing up, congratulating River Crossing YMCA on the renovation of the branch’s wellness center. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
Northampton County Depty. Dir. Of Community and Economic Development Marek Tomanek presented River Crossing YMCA with a certificate of achievement for its continued commitment to the wellness of Northampton County communities at the Y’s ribbon-cutting to unveil the new wellness center in Easton on Feb. 16. (Photo courtesy of River Crossing YMCA)
(L-R) Trish Feinthel, chief operations officer for River Crossing YMCA, PA State Representative Bob Freeman (HD 136), Easton Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone, Crystal Messer, VP of operations for the Lehigh Valley region of River Crossing YMCA, Marek Tomarek, Northampton County deputy director of community and economic development, Kevon Allen, Easton branch director for River Crossing YMCA, Frank Barlow, Sr. director of facilities for River Crossing YMCA, Stephen Bajan II, from the YMCA board of directors, Melissa Brown, Easton branch executive for River Crossing YMCA, Andrea Brown, VP of business development and growth for River Crossing YMCA, Allen Childs, YMCA board of directors, Allyson Fox, SVP of membership engagement for River Crossing YMCA, Ellen Yobst, YMCA board of directors, Mark Fuller, YMCA Lehigh Valley regional advisory board member, Justin Grand, Slate Belt YMCA branch executive, and Chris Moore, senior director of fitness equipment experience, immediately following the ribbon cutting to officially open the newly renovated wellness center at the Easton branch of River Crossing YMCA on Feb. 16.

The newly refreshed Easton Y wellness center includes new flooring, freshly painted and reconfigured work out spaces, an expanded free weight area with new weights, and a fully functional, turfed training area. The new wellness center also features brand new, high-end cardio and strength-building equipment including treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, stair climbers and weight-training machines. The new wellness center was bustling with members excited to work out on the all new equipment.

“Everything is so lovely,” shared member Agnes Rawson, who works out every morning at River Crossing YMCA’s Easton branch. “I tried the new crunch machine and the new treadmill with the steep incline. I’ve been talking with my friends and they love it too. It’s all gorgeous and state-of-the-art. Everyone who comes in is going to love it.”

The Y’s VP of operations for the Lehigh Valley Region Crystal Messer was joined by colleagues, volunteers, community leaders and elected officials to celebrate River Crossing YMCA’s latest investment in the health and wellness of the Lehigh Valley community. Deputy Director of Northampton County Community and Economic Development Marek Tomanek, PA State Representative Bob Freeman (HD 136) and Easton Vice-Mayor Frank Pintabone were on hand to show the Y their support.

“The YMCA has created a great following for many who live in the Easton area, not only to stay fit and be healthy, but also as a gathering spot to meet friends and make connections,” said State Representative Freeman. “The Y gives us a place for social connection, which is just as important for health as exercise and nutrition.”

Rep. Freeman presented Messer with a certificate of recognition from the Commonwealth of PA in honor of the newly renovated wellness center. He noted that the work of the River Crossing YMCA team provides outstanding wellness, child care and senior programming to the Easton community.

Vice-Mayor Pintabone recalled his connections to the Y growing up in Easton.

“I learned to swim when the Easton Y was downtown,” he remarked. “When I was a freshman at Northampton Community College I worked part time right here in this wellness center. I want to

thank all of you for what you do for the people of Easton and Phillipsburg, and congratulate you on this beautiful new wellness center.”

Deputy Director Tomanak also presented a certificate of achievement to the Y on behalf of Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski.

“The Y has been an institution in this community for over 100 years,” Tomanek said. “Their commitment to the wellness of our community shines in moments like this. The new wellness center is a breath of fresh air in this space and we congratulate the YMCA for its success.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, members and guests were invited to explore the new wellness center and equipment, with trained YMCA staff providing guidance and answering questions. Y members have exclusive access to the new wellness center for the rest of this week. Then beginning Monday Feb. 23, Messer said, all are invited to try the Y for free through Mar. 1.

“As beautiful as our new center is, this is just the place,” Messer explained. “But it’s the place where life changing work happens, where disease prevention happens, where people can come to achieve balance and mobility along with friendship and camaraderie. A newly refreshed YMCA wellness center offers everyone a fresh start, and we look forward to having you.”

River Crossing YMCA announced today that anyone may “Try the Y” for free at any of their branches in Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks and Hunterdon counties Feb. 23 – Mar. 1, and new members can sign up and pay no join fee through Mar. 8.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its 12 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Reisman