Around-the-clock access pays off for YMCA

Compared to other 24/7 gyms, the Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA has one big advantage — “we actually have a gymnasium,” Teri Kermendy, director of marketing and communications, said.

“We have a basketball court and indoor facilities,” she said. “If you want, you can come and shoot hoops at midnight.”

That was made possible by the Y opening up 24/7 in May, with members now able to use a key fob to enter the building even when staff are not present.

Kermendy said it took awhile for the facility to be ready for the change.

“We really wanted to make sure we were secure before we went 24/7,” she said.

That meant battling through supply chain issues and the installation of over 30 security cameras.

But the project was ultimately worth the effort, Kermendy said. Over 650 of the key fobs that cost $10 have been sold since the program’s start.

That has opened access to the gym facilities to gym goers who work second or third shift, she said. “We added 50 new members.”

Those key fobs also work at the River Shores YMCA location in West Bend that went 24/7 in 2021.

“It has gone over phenomenally,” Aaron Schmidt, district executive, said last year about the River Shores hours change.

That location has sold about 2,000 key fobs, Kermendy said.

The Ozaukee Y originally planned on going 24/7 as an added bonus to current members, in an effort to retain their membership after pandemic losses.

But last week Kermendy said the program has surpassed that goal.

“It is a retention tool, but the new members were a great surprise,” she said.

Another membership boost is also expected to come from the planned Northern Gateway Community Collective.

The Ansay Development promises to add as many as 620 housing units and hundreds of jobs right next to the gym.

The Y is excited about the newcomers.

“We have a lot to offer,” Kermendy said, adding that the facility is working on upgrading the family locker room to accommodate more families.

Rob Johnson, CEO of the Kettle Moraine YMCA, has had several discussions with the developers throughout the planning process.

Fundraising is being considered for future renovations to support the member influx as well, Kermendy said.

Currently, the Y’s approach to managing the increase, she said, was “not necessarily expansion, but updating.”

That is very different from plans from three years ago, when Y officials were considering several expansion options, including a stand-alone child care center and a scaled up gym.

At that time, Johnson even hoped that any expansion projects would be done by July 2021.

And then the pandemic happened and slashed membership by nearly 35%, slamming the brakes on the multi-million dollar expansion plans.

Since then, the idea of a stand-alone child care facility has been shelved.

The facility did receive a make-over, however.

“We renovated the current day care facilities,” Kermendy said. “We were not able to have infants before. Now we can accommodate children 6 weeks to 5 years old.

“There’s been a huge welcome (for the expanded day care program) from the community.

“We are happy to provide that.”

However the focus for now is on the 24/7 program that Kermendy said has been a huge success.

“The members have been very respectful of the rules and have kept the Y clean (during the non-staffed hours),” she said, adding that the program is expected to grow in the future.

“Soon, we will run a great promotion  for the 24/7 service where new members will get free fobs,” she said. “We hope to draw all types of people.”