To the Editor:
The Switzerland County YMCA is a great deal. Do you realize we have not raised our membership rates since opening in 2001? Can you think of any other service provider that can say the same in this day and age? Our membership rates are some of the lowest in the State of Indiana for YMCA’s of any size. We truly strive to make membership affordable.
Everyone can be a member of the YMCA regardless of his or her financial situation. Through the generous support of people and organizations in this community we are able to provide any individual or family, scholarship assistance based on need and income verification.
Currently a family can join the YMCA for $450 for the entire year. That is $1.29 per day that we are open. We also have rates for single parent families, individuals, senior couples, individual seniors, and youth seeking to join. We do offer a daily use pass for persons wishing to utilize the YMCA. That fee is: adults $12 and children #7 for guests without an accompanying member and adult $7, children $5 for a guest with a member. For a family it is $20 for the whole family. This is still not particularly high; you can hardly go to the movies for less.
Yes, it is more expensive if you choose to not be a member. We are a membership driven organization and we encourage people to join rather than pay the higher costs. It benefits the individual and the YMCA. We offer several different ways to pay for memberships. For a family you can choose to pay yearly the $450 or every three months for $112.50, or, the convenient monthly direct draft of $37.50. For a family it is more economical to purchase a membership. Send three kids swimming just two days and you have already paid for your monthly membership. With your membership your children would be able to swim, play basketball and many other social activities every day with no additional cost to you. The parents would also be able to utilize the state of the art cardio and fitness equipment available upstairs, take a fitness class (some at no additional fee), swim, or walk the track. Plus you can interact with your children in a positive manner that promotes a healthy lifestyle — all for $37.50 per month. That’s less than cable television for a month and much better for you in the long run.
The Switzerland County YMCA is very affordable for anyone and everyone. We are currently holding our Annual Strong Kids Campaign to raise funds so that we can continue to offer all of the programs we run every year for the youth of our community. Programs like, After-school Fun Club, Swim Lessons, Swim Team, Youth Basketball League, Summer Day Camp and many other activities and programs. These programs need the community’s support and dollars so that we can continue to make them affordable for families and individuals. So please give generously and stop by and see the new Donor Appreciation Wall in our lobby and find or make a pledge to add your name. We encourage anyone interested or in need of more information to stop by, fill out a membership and take that first step toward a more healthy life. At the Switzerland County YMCA, We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families and Strong Communities.
Switzerland County YMCA