Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
On Monday, April 28, a ribbon cutting for YMCA of Greater Flint’s recently constructed Livewell on Harrison facility brought out a large crowd of excited community members. According to YMCA of Greater Flint CEO Shelly Hilton, about 400 area residents had RSVP’d for the event.
The new 50,000-square-foot ADA-accessible building has an indoor walking track, a basketball court and three fitness studios, as well as ample workout equipment and a Kid Zone where children can learn and socialize.
“We’re so excited to get the doors open and for our members and the community to get to come in and tour the space, but ultimately to use the space-and bring their families in here and come on in for some community,” Hilton said.
Hilton is especially excited to be part of a mixed-use development with Uptown Reinvestment Corporation – which brought 50 units of apartments to the complex, Hurley Medical Center-which is operating a physical therapy clinic and the Crim Fitness Foundation – which will have its main offices in the space as well.
Livewell on Harrison cost $41 million to build, with the YMCA portion of the facility costing $21 million.
“It’s a huge collaboration of health and wellness, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” she said. “I think just to have an accessible space for the community to come and use is the thing I’m most excited about. We’re excited for them to come through the doors and experience it.”
Flint Resident Victor Earl Young, who has been going to the local YMCA for over 17 years, referred to the new facility as a “beautiful recreational place where we can have fun now and get exercise in.”
“The environment is very nice,” Young added. “The track is very nice. It feels like an escalator if you stay on it long enough. It picks you up and starts you to walking even faster. It’s a nice facility.”
Young said he used to lift weights at the old YMCA facility in what area residents called “the dungeon,” which was in the basement. But, he said he likes the new space even better because he can see outside while working out.
“The place is nice,” said Otel Walker, who is also a Flint resident, and has been coming to the Y for the last 30 years as a member.
Walker added: “We enjoy working out with the free weights, and we’re looking forward to the future…The old ‘Y’ was really a nice place to work out too. But, this place is even better! I look forward to working out here, getting better and getting stronger. This is a good place to get yourself together-mentally, physically. It’s the place to come to!”
A six-lane pool will be open at the YMCA’s Livewell on Harrison facility in early summer. There, swimming lessons and water aerobics will be offered. Hilton is looking forward to the Flint Falcons utilizing the pool area. The Flint YMCA Falcons is the Flint area’s premier competitive age group swim team, according to the YMCA’s website. There will also be a family splash pad and hot tub area, which are expected be opened in a little over a month.
The YMCA of Greater Flint currently has approximately 2,000 members and expects to double that number now that it has the new building.
Basketball, cheerleading, adult beginner pickleball, CPR and much more are being offered in it.
“It’s such a huge project,” Hilton said. “It’s really four spaces in one. So, it was a big project, and it just took time to do with quality and care, which is exactly what the Lurvey Construction Team has done.”
Learn more at Home – YMCA Flint
