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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Dan Bates / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Jacob Jerome (left), 9, and his cousin Amanda Lee, 9, rest after playing basketball at the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA earlier this year.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, October 13, 2008 Monroe YMCA celebrates 1st year By Yoshiaki Nohara Herald Writer MONROE -- The Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA continues to grow a year after it opened for service. People celebrated the center's first anniversary with special events in September, said Sally King, marketing director for the organization. The celebration ended with a full-day event on Sept. 27, including a pool party and a concert by the Monroe Community Concert Band. The $12 million center opened along Fryelands Blvd. in September 2007. The center features saunas, a spa, a massage room, a fitness center, a kitchen and a swimming pool. Monroe has no other public swimming pool. A year ago, the center had about 4,900 members, King said. It now has about 11,000 members. The center also employs about 150 people. "This has been the most successful Y opening in the YMCA of Snohomish County history in terms of membership response, community response and participation in programs such as swim lessons," King said. Popular activities at the Y include swimming lessons, racquetball and a personal fitness program, King said. The 12-week fitness program matches a member with a trainer. The trainer sets up a customized training program for the member. "It is a great option for people who have had trouble sticking with a program in the past," she said. Because Monroe contributed $1.9 million to the family center, those who live in the city can enjoy free recreation services such as teen nights, water aerobics, and senior fitness and health during designated hours. The family center continues to expand its membership, King said. Throughout this month, new members can save 50 percent on the one-time joining fee. That saves $60 for a family membership, she said. Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com. YMCA anniversary The Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA just turned a year old. It's at 14033 Fryelands Blvd., Monroe. It opens from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. More info: 360-805-1879 or www.ymca-snoco.org. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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