GENEVA — It’s been a long time coming, but the Geneva Family YMCA is edging closer to completing a $5 million, four-phase renovation project that includes a 10,000-square-foot addition.
The newly upgraded spaces will be opening soon, including the 10,000-square-foot strength and fitness center, a new senior lounge, renovated adult locker rooms, and additional community space, YMCA Director Todd Freelove said Monday.
The project has been overseen by Jason Walford of Geneva-based Massa Construction, the principal contractor for the project.
“I’ve been here (virtually every day) since Jan. 17, 2025,” he said Monday while walking through the facility with Freelove and former YMCA Director Charlie Evangelista.
The renovated adult locker rooms, which should be finished any day, feature all-new plumbing, modern tile work, and new lockers.
Over in the new addition, the expanded strength and fitness center offers new and renovated equipment and 98-inch televisions. The building also features expansive windows, donated by Guardian Glass, that fill the space with natural light.
“That’s what really sets it apart,” Evangelista said.
Workers were filling the room with new equipment on Monday, including elliptical machines and more.
The gym won’t be quite ready for awhile yet. It has been closed for a year, but when it opens, it will feature bright new lighting, new storage units and a new floor that Evangelista said is being installed this week. Glass basketball backboards also are being installed.
Freelove pointed to the Olga and John Zakour Senior Lounge — a newly created place for seniors to gather and connect before and after workouts, along with the new Annex Community Space, which he said adds a flexible room for programs, meetings, and community use.
Rob Sollenne, president of the Geneva Family YMCA Board of Directors, said the “renovation represents an investment not just in our building, but in the people we serve. We are deeply grateful to our donors and members whose generosity and loyalty ensure that our independent YMCA continues to thrive as a center for health, connection, and community.”
Freelove and Evangelista said it’s been a big challenge keeping the YMCA open while performing significant renovations. Membership has taken a significant hit, which is understandable, Freelove and Evangelista admitted. However, both are confident membership will rebound once renovations are complete.
“When people come, the facility will speak for itself,” Evangelista said.
To regain members and hopefully attract new ones, Freelove said the YMCA will be doing a direct mailer in the near future to promote the many improvements, which also include a new main entry.
One thing not included in the renovation project is a rehabilitation of the parking lot, which Freelove and Evangelista said was not part of the renovation project because of financial reasons.
Evangelista said the YMCA is hoping to find a local paving company partner to make that happen. Any company interested should contact Freelove or Evangelista at the YMCA.