Freedom Valley/Philly YMCA Merger Passes

A Thursday evening vote approved the joining of the two YMCA regions.

According to a source present at Thursday evening's vote, the proposed merger between the Freedom Valley YMCA and the Philadelphia YMCA passed by a margin of 56 votes.  The merger was announced several weeks ago, and members have argued both for and against the merger ever since.  Several members expressed concerns about the speed of the merger and about overcrowding. Members were also unhappy with the voting process, which required everyone who wanted to vote be present at a meeting on Thursday night. Others praised the merger, saying that it could only benefit the organization. YMCA leadership also said it would save money by reducing insurance and supply costs. The leadership of the two YMCAs held a town hall on Monday evening, November…

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9:28 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I'm sure nobody will miss one less fatty blocking two lanes on the indoor track.   more ›

Freedom Valley Y Leaders Say Merger Opponents are Race-Baiting

An e-mail from the Freedom Valley YMCA's management criticizes a flyer sent to members yesterday.

Freedom Valley YMCA members received an e-mail from the organization late Wednesday afternoon, November 14, regarding a flyer that was reportedly left at the Phoenixville YMCA's information desk listing seven reasons to vote against the merger with the Philadelphia YMCA.  "Not one of the issues addressed in the flyer was factually accurate," the e-mail reads. YMCA leaders have repeatedly asserted that there is a "lot of misinformation" being disseminated regarding the merger. [Editor's note: A copy of the e-mail from the YMCA can be read in the PDF section of this article.] The e-mail goes on, however, to sharply criticize the language in the flyer.  The e-mail reads, "An example of the type of vitriol that is now being strewn follows – …

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YMCA Leaders Hold Contentious Town Hall

Members and YMCA leaders squared off over the proposed Philadelphia/Freedom Valley YMCA merger.

Board members and YMCA leadership held a town hall at the Spring Valley YMCA on Monday night to discuss the proposed merger between Freedom Valley YMCAs and Philadephia YMCAs.  Freedom Valley's chief volunteer officer Sanford Lipstein started off the meeting by telling the approximately 200 members in attendance that the board hasn't done a very good job of getting information out to the members regarding the merger.  Lipstein gave a presentation on what the merger will and will not mean for the membership.  Lipstein said that there will be no reciprocity for use of the outdoor pools at Freedom Valley's branches, nor will Philadelphia members be allowed to sign up for fitness classes. Freedom Valley members will not be allowed to register …

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Freedom Valley, Philadelphia YMCAs May Merge

A town hall meeting on the merger is scheduled for Monday evening.

A merger is in the works between the Philadelphia Area YMCA and the Freedom Valley YMCA; however, not everyone is pleased about the prospect or the process.  Both YMCA boards have voted to approve the merger and members recently received letters explaining the deal and how members can vote. The Y is holding a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Spring Valley YMCA on Linfield-Trappe Road in Limerick. This town hall comes in advance of the vote, which is scheduled to happen at Chadwick's Restaurant in Audubon on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Philadelphia Area YMCA CEO John Flynn told Patch in a phone interview that the merger came about as the two organizations began working more closely together. "We realized that we could …

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YMCA Presentation Brings Up Traffic and Open Space Issues for Lower Providence

Lower Providence residents again voiced opposition concerns over potentially increased traffic conditions and reduction to open space by the proposed Freedom Valley YMCA project.

Lower Providence YMCA Sketch Plans to be Reviewed by Planning Commission

A Sept. 26 presentation by the Freedom Valley YMCA will review the sketch plans for the proposed facility at the Club at Shannondell in Audubon.

YMCA Presents Plans for New Facility to Lower Providence Supervisors

Many residents spoke in favor of having a new state-of-the-art YMCA, just not in Audubon's The Club at Shannondell.

Lower Providence Considering New YMCA Facility

Representatives from Freedom Valley YMCA will present the preliminary plans for the new facility at a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26.

According to The Times Herald, the Lower Providence Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at the Lower Providence Township Building (100 Parklane Drive in Eagleville) to hear plans by the Freedom Valley YMCA on a proposed new facility on the grounds of the Club at Shannondell on Egypt Road. "Kramer Marks Architects are bringing in a proposal for development of the General Washington tract, the golf course," Supervisor Don Thomas told the Herald. "It involves building a YMCA building, a community center with an indoor pool. They are hoping to build something akin to the YMCA buildings they have done in the last eight years." The proposed timeline for the project, which would reportedly be …

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Freedom Valley Y Hosting Free Screening of 'The Muppets' Tonight

The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Freedom Valley YMCA branch at 2460 Boulevard of the Generals in West Norriton.

The Freedom Valley YMCA's summer movie night kicks off at 8:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday, July 12 at 2460 Boulevard of the Generals in West Norriton. Tonight's film is The Muppets. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The next free screening is Diary of a Wimpy Kid on Thursday, Aug. 9.

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Audubon Y Swim Team Recruiting for New Season

Children ages 5 to 18 can join the team and compete in the Schuykill Valley Aquatic League.

The Audubon YMCA, a branch of the Freedom Valley YMCA, is recruiting new members for their swim team. Join the team and have a great time this summer competing in the Schuykill Valley Aquatic League. The season runs from Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 until the end of July.  Potential team members must be able to swim one full length of the pool. Swimmers will have the opportunity to learn all strokes with an emphasis on technique as well as advance in compete in several categories. Interested swimmers should contact Erica at egenuardi@fvymca.org or call 484-674-6238 for a practice calendar, meet times and registration.

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