While fundraising continues for a Westfield YMCA, a new 5,000-square-foot YMCA Studio will give residents a healthy dose of the classes that will be offered.
The ribbon-cutting and sneak-peak tour at the YMCA Studio at Westfield, 144 S. Union St., was held Sept. 24. Classes started Sept. 30. The studio was originally scheduled to open in May but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Shannon Russell, the project lead for the Westfield YMCA.
“We are temporarily here until we get the full facility open,” said Russell, adding there is a three-year lease.
The end goal is a full YMCA facility at the southwest corner of 181st Street and Wheeler Road. Russell said about one-third of the $20 million fundraising goal has been raised. The natatorium part of the project is expected to be completed in December.
There are three studios and more than 100 classes a week offered in the YMCA Studio.
Russell, a longtime Westfield resident, said the classes will be kept to around 14 in the cycle studio.
“We’re going to space out the bikes,” she said. “The nice thing is, the garage door goes up so it can have an open-air feeling. There will be 20 live classes and 20 virtual ones. When there is not a live instructor coach, the system and screen come on, and it’s a virtual ride.”
The performance studio is 1,400 square feet with all 16 coach-led classes.
“They might have three on the rower, three on the treadmill, three on the boxing (bags) or TRX straps, three on the bikes, and they rotate around the room for the high-intensity interval training,” Russell said. “The back garage also opens.”
There also is a group exercise studio, which includes yoga and Zumba, and a child watch area. Russell said the YMCA officials also have talked with Westfield Police Chief Joel Rush about creating basic training for youth in the area, led by the police officers.
All staff must wear masks when teaching. Guests wear masks when entering, transitioning and exiting the facility.
Unlimited access costs $59 a month for one person and $99 for two people at the same address. There is free child care for guests for two hours during workout, under certain times. For more, INDYMCA.org/Y-Studio-Westfield.
