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YMCA Merger to Take Effect January 1

Philadelphia YMCA and Freedom Valley YMCA will merge beginning January 1, 2013.

Information from the Philadelphia & Vicinity YMCA: The YMCA of Philadelphia and the Freedom Valley YMCA completed the final phase in their merger process, with a member approval to proceed with uniting the two organizations to form the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA, effective January 1, 2013. The approval was ratified by members of both organizations on Thursday, November 15, 2012. With this ratification the newly formed Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA will be one of the largest YMCA Association in the country, with 15 branch locations, located throughout Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, serving nearly 140,000 members. "Both the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity and the Freedom Valley YMCA have exceptional history and …

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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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Proponents of Lower Providence YMCA Speak Up at Supervisors’ Meeting

Although not on the Oct. 4 Lower Providence Board of Supervisors agenda, many residents came out to voice support of a proposed YMCA project.

Over 30 residents attended the Oct. 4 Lower Providence Board of Supervisors meeting last week, but by the end of the meeting, it was clear the majority wasn’t there for anything listed on the agenda that evening. "I am here tonight to urge the board to approve construction of the YMCA at the proposed location," said Lower Providence resident Jessie Damiani. Damiani was the first of approximately 15 fellow residents who came forward during the public comments section of the meeting to advocate not only the proposed location of the YMCA at the Club at Shannondell, but also of numerous benefits of the community at large. Damiani first acknowledged reasons for opposing the YMCA construction, which include saving the remaining township Open …

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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.

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.

Montco Mommy

The Swimmers

Our Montco Mommy's little ones have found a new all-consuming pastime.

  With the temperatures climbing last week, our family has already started seeking relief. We have traditional Irish skin tones so we have a limited list of sunny-day activities. We can’t bask in the glorious sun all day long, even if we’d like to, as we only have two main skin tones: albino and burnt. Despite the needs for frequent shade, we are test "swimming" a new idea this summer. Our kids have been begging for a pool since, well since they could beg. Both have had swim lessons and can minimally swim enough not to lose their lives if they feel in. To be honest, we’d probably have to take a third mortgage out to afford one, but I wouldn’t put it past us if it made us all happy. However, before we made a final decision, we thought it’d …

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Freedom Valley Y Hosting Free Saturday Full of Fun

"Healthy Kids Day" intended to help keep kids off the couch during the summer months.

This weekend, YMCAs across the country will throw open their doors and invite everyone in the community to come in, get active and have fun, at no charge.  Saturday is the official Healthy Kids Day, when 1,900 YMCAs nationwide will host free events to help kids “get up, get out and grow.” More than half a million parents and kids are expected to participate. The reason behind the initiative is simple: The YMCA has recognized that there is a need, especially during this time of year, to encourage kids to be active and remind them that they shouldn’t crash on the couch just because school is out. Research shows that kids are more prone to gain weight and experience reduced mental stimulation during summer months. The Y maintains that summer …

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Rumors of West Norriton Opening Markley Pool 'Definitely Not True'

Owner Scott Markley is reportedly looking for a partner to open Markley Farms Swim & Tennis Club in West Norriton this summer, but rumors that the township might get involved are false.

When the West Norriton Board of Commissioners voted to deny a zoning hearing request by the Freedom Valley YMCA to rezone the land around the Markley Farm tract, it put owner Scott Markley in a tough spot. Markley had entered into an agreement of sale with the YMCA to purchase the 56-acre plot for $3 million. The Y had planned to build a new $19 million dollar facility on the property, but need 26 acres to be rezoned from residential to recreational before the construction could begin. Opposition from some residents in the neighborhoods around the property led to a fierce battle which was settled when the board of commissioners voted to deny the Y a zoning hearing in the case. With their plans dashed, the Y and Markley cancelled their …

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West Norriton Commissioners Vote No on YMCA Zoning Appeal

Hundreds of community members, both for and against the proposed YMCA facility, packed the Jeffersonville Golf Club to hear the board deny the organizations zoning change request.

One by one, more than three dozen West Norriton residents approached the microphone at the Jeffersonville Golf Club last night and made sometimes impassioned pleas for the cause. For some, the cause was convincing the West Norriton Board of Commissioners to deny Freedom Valley YMCA's request for a zoning hearing to change the zoning on the land adjacent to the Markley Farm Tract from residential to recreational. For others, it was pleading with the commissioners to allow the hearing and pave the way for the proposed $19-million dollar facility. After hearing every resident who wished to speak, the commissioners thanked the them for their input and one by one, with no discussion of the matter, voted to deny the YMCA's request. Read more …

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Jane

12:58 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012

I dont think it sounds stupid when we are talking about ridding ourselves of what little open and protected land we have left.. IE farm Park not FARM PARKING LOT   more ›