The Germantown Y hits the New Year running

After more than two years on moth balls the Germantown Y is open again with lots of fitness activities to choose from.  And this month it’s offering a free giveaway to boost new memberships.

Go in person to the Germantown Y at 5722 Greene Street and see what the historic facility has to offer. And when you do, you just may qualify for a free membership.

The first and second new teen members who go in person to the Y and say “NewsWorks sent me” will receive a free Teen Membership for a year. Teens aged 13 to 18 qualify with a parent or guardian there to enroll them.

Germantown Y administrators hope it will help encourage more teens to get involved with healthy options during the after school hours.

 

Recent history

Community members banded together over the last year and half to rescue the Y from ruin after a 2008 sprinkler pipe burst and flooded the facility.

The residential facility that houses over 100 homeless men has been operating continuously but the fitness center shut down mainly due to building damage, legal battles and a managerial quagmire.

Now the Y operates as a new non-profit community group, but the mission is much the same as it was when it was founded in 1872 – to serve the community’s health and wellness needs.

Much of the facility is already open. The fitness room, exercise classes, the basket ball gym and many activity areas are in use every day.

The free weight room, locker rooms, racket ball courts and the pool are in need of the most work, and could use community support to get things done. Many of these areas should be up and running by March, officials said.

 

Below are some of the classes offered now at the Germantown Y.

Boxing fitness classes on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Zumba Latin dance and fitness classes Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Y Boot Camp team outdoor workouts Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Germantown Y Walking Circle Club Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Slimnastics fitness and flexibility classes for women.

Personal training and group training sessions.

Steam and sauna room is now open.

 

Basketball programs will be in full swing beginning this month

Don’t let the cold slow you down. Use the Germantown Y’s historic gym to stay fit with basketball all winter long. (Fun fact: Allen Iverson used to come to the Y every week to workout in the gym with his friend, actor Terrence Howard, who lives just outside of Northwest Philadelphia.)

 

Three new basketball programs will begin Jan. 22.

Pee Wee classes Saturday mornings for players of ages 3 to 5.

Youth Basketball League with 9 foot hoops for players of ages 6 to 8.

Co-ed Pre Teen League for players aged 9 to 13.

 

Basketball leagues

Church Basketball League: Team registration begins now for co-ed League 1, ages 10 to 12 years, and co-ed League 2, ages 13 to 16 years.

Church Basketball League games begin Jan. 28 and will be every Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The Y Female League for ‘serious’ players ages 10 to 16 years old will hold its games on Thursday nights. Register now.

The Men’s 17 to 20 Year Old League will feature teams with a minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 12 players. Games will be on Saturdays at 6 p.m. Register now.

The Men’s Unlimited League will hold its games Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. Registration underway.

The Charter Schools League will play Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Register now.

The Elementary School League will play Fridays 4 p.m. Register now.

 

Basketball competitions

The Martin Luther King Holliday Basketball Tournament of Champions will be Jan. 15 and Jan. 17. The tournament will feature teams from school, recreational and church leagues.

Coming soon: The Germantown Y 3 on 3 Co-ed Basketball Tournament and the March Madness Slam Dunk and Shootout Contest: dates will soon be announced.

 

General youth programs

On Sunday mornings the Y offers the Musketeers club for boys and girls. Class uses tumbling, arts and crafts, dancing and self defense to teach self expression and social skills for kids aged 3 to 5.

On Saturday afternoons the Tiger Fun Club offers children of ages 6 to 12 a chance to play energetic group games under close supervision.

Youth Sports Activities Club on Saturday mornings for children between 6 and 8.

Free math tutoring for child members (K-12) every Saturday.

Homework Helpers are also available.

 

After school

The After School Boys Club is a fun sports oriented mentoring program for boys between 6 and 12 years old. The club meets Thursday afternoons.

The After School Girls Club is a sports and game oriented mentoring program for girls between 6 and 12 years old. The club meets Friday afternoons.

The Y also offers an after school enrichment program for children who qualify between the ages of 5 and 12 years.

 

Coming soon to the Y

Aquatics

The famous Y swim classes will be coming back soon. The pool was damaged two years ago following the Y closure. Since then the pool filter and pump system has been repaired and the tile surface was re-grouted.

Some work remains on a few persistent leaks, but with donations and help from community members, the Y hopes to get kids and families back in the pool in the first half of 2011. Once its up and running again the pool will support a full array of swim classes for kids, teens and adults, as well as water fitness classes.

 

Library

The Y is developing a children’s library where it will host story time and other children’s activities.

 

Classes coming soon

Tang Soo Do Korean style martial arts

Computer Lab instruction

Tai Chi

Tumbling classes for toddlers

Teen Night

Youth and Government Club

African Dance

 

Volunteer opportunities

Mentors, advisory committee members and program leaders are needed at the Y.

 

The Germantown Y is located at 5722 Greene Street. Phone: 215-844-3281. Check out the Web site for more information.