The Jamestown Area YMCA’s Downtown Branch is pictured at its 101 E. Fourth St. location in Jamestown. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Changes to hours and staffing at the Jamestown Area YMCA don’t mean the local YMCA is having financial trouble, according to the Y’s interim CEO.

A quick glance at the Jamestown, NY (City of Jamestown) Facebook page one could draw the conclusion that the Jamestown Area YMCA is the RMS Titanic about to hit a financial iceberg. With three posts, thus far, garnering 176 emoji responses, 251 comments and 21 shares, the Y’s recently implemented operational changes have struck a nerve with some YMCA users who aren’t happy with cuts to open hours, staff cuts and with other programs and services being reduced.

However, according to YMCA officials the Y isn’t in danger of closing and the reduction in operational hours is part of a bigger plan to keep the YMCA viable and strategically fiscal for years to come.

“We have to be smart with how we move forward,” said John Barber, the Y’s interim chief executive officer. “The reduction in building hours and other cost cuts we’ve made were strategically done to keep our revenue streams in line with our costs. These things were done to make sure we don’t end up in a financial crisis. The Y is paying all its bills on time, and we’re moving forward.”

The Jamestown Y’s leader also pointed out how external factors have played a role in the Y’s decisions recently.

“Every year the state’s minimum wage keeps going up, we have an inflation-based economy and the skyrocketing cost of health care insurance is all playing a factor in some of our decisions,” he said. “We are making sure we have a sustainable business plan and a pathway forward.”

Barber, also stated “minor changes to our hours of operation scheduled at the Jamestown Branch affect only weekends when membership usage is the lowest. On these days our Lakewood Branch remains available to all members with similar fitness facility offerings. We have more than 40 weekly group exercise classes and access every weekday to aquatics related fitness opportunities.”

The Young Men’s Christian Association draws its roots back to the industrial age in Europe and has since then evolved into much more than a gym. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, as an organization it is dedicated to meeting the needs of the community it serves. Inclusion and diversity being a top priority.

Additionally, Y’s Board of Directors also played a pivotal role in making sure 2024’s budget was aligned with Y’s mission.

“Our YMCA Board’s adoption of a 2024 budget requiring operational adjustments was not easy for our leadership and we understand it isn’t easy for all members,” Barber said. “Making difficult but wise adjustments now allows us to avoid deeper difficulties in the future. All businesses and agencies need to adapt, and the Y is not immune from needing to do the same.”

A common complaint of the Facebook postings, from members, was the lack of communication, membership input and rash decision making on behalf of the Y. However, Barber points out that he and the Y distributed multiple informational pieces about the scheduled changes, weeks before they took effect.

“We sent out a mass email to all our members – to the email addresses that we have on file for them, informing them of the scheduled changes that were to be implemented,” he said. “Also, we informed people and members-as they were coming into our facilities at the welcome centers and presented them with information about the changes in person. I’m guessing some of the emails may have changed over time and we weren’t informed, but I do know after talking with some members that they found the email we sent in their spam folders. The point is… we are open to listening to our members, taking their input and making changes. Once again, these changes were done to make sure we don’t end up in a fiscal crisis and we can adjust as needed and review as we go.”

Moreover, while other fitness and social services agencies may have struggled to regain their operational temp, post-pandemic, the Jamestown Area YMCA is in a much stronger position.

“We are thankful to experience stable membership trends, unlike many Y’s across the country that have struggled to rebound from COVID-19 related closures.”