YMCA vs. rec center

Newton residents continue to debate whether the city would be better served with a new YMCA or an expansion of its current activities center.

One topic discussed is the differing costs associated with attending each facility.

The Greater Wichita YMCA and the Newton Recreation Commission/Newton Activity Center both offer a range of services and facilities, with varied programs and classes offered, and different fee structures for their services. Here is an outline of the two entities.

For more information and further fee structure details, both entities have current program catalogs available on their respective Web sites, www.wichitaymca.org and www.newtonrec.org. These catalogs show what classes and programs are offered, as well as specific prices for all facilities, classes and programs.

In addition to the day-to-day services offered, both groups offer their facility for free use by many non-profits and other groups.

Dennis Shoenbeck, executive director for the Greater Wichita YMCA, said 50 organizations use various facilities in their chain for free.

The Newton Activity Center opens its doors to groups such as the Kiwanis Club for its annual pancake feed and many more, in addition to events the Newton Recreation Commission puts on at the facility, such as the upcoming Family Fun Night on Friday.

Basic

membership fees

The basic “membership fee” means different things for the Greater Wichita YMCA and the Newton Activity Center.

At the Newton Activity Center, the membership fee is for use of the Wellness Center — in essence the “workout space.”

The fee does not include use of some parts of the activity center such the racquetball courts or the pool. Those have an additional “per use” fee.

Use of the gymnasiums and walking track are free to all in the community, regardless of membership, provided they are not being used for Recreation Commission league play or are reserved.

Brian Bascue, superintendent for the Newton Recreation Commission, said if the activity center expands, he expects membership fees to go up slightly because the fee would be restructured to include usage of the pool, instead of it being a separate fee as it is now.

He said he anticipates the gyms would still be open for public use the way they are now.

At the Greater Wichita YMCA, the membership fee covers use of pretty much all the facilities — the pool, the gymnasiums, the wellness center, walking track, etc.

A membership to any Greater Wichita YMCA is reciprocal, meaning users can use any of the Greater Wichita YMCA facilities under the same membership.

The YMCA also has the AWAY Program, which allows members access to other YMCAs across the country while traveling, with possible restrictions depending on the YMCA being visited.

Classes

and programs

Both the YMCA and the activity center offer a range of classes for different ages.

At the Greater Wichita YMCA, new class sessions begin at the start of the month, and costs are on a month-by-month basis.

At the Greater Wichita YMCA, many classes are included in the membership fee; a few examples from the current calendar are yoga, Pilates, step interval, cycle circuit, muscle pump and hip hop hustle. Other classes and programs are available for an additional fee.

At the activity center, the fee does not include class fees, although members get discounts on some classes.

Some classes at the activity center are on-going, such as Tai Chi, cardio mix, and Buttz and Guttz. Other classes are offered for a set period of time for a set fee.

Child care

Both the Newton Activity Center and the YMCA are licensed day-care providers, and both have some form of child care.

At the activity center, child care is available for certain hours during the week at a rate of $2 per child per hour. This service is for parents who are exercising in the building. There also is an unstaffed room where older children can hang out while mom and dad work out, with a cost of $1 per family.

The activity center runs day camps when school is not in session, such as spring break, and in the summer. The cost is $26 per day or $88 per week.

The YMCA, which is the largest child-care provider in the state of Kansas, has a drop-in nursery, which they dub Kid Zone. The cost is $3 per child per hour daily, or a monthly fee of $13 for one child or $18 per family.

The YMCA offers school-age child care day camps when school is not in session. Fees are $20 a day for members and $25 a day for non-members, plus a $30 enrollment fee.

Youth programs

The Greater Wichita YMCA offers youth leagues for football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball, which the Y labels as “recreational,” and advanced leagues in soccer, basketball and volleyball, which are labeled “competitive.”

The youth sports leagues are for pre-kindergarten through seventh grade.

Teams play eight games per season and receive at least one practice a week.

Fees are $30 for members and $55 for non-members, not including a required reversible jersey that costs $12.

The advanced leagues are for various ages ranging from 6 to high school, where game scores and team standings are maintained, and participants have both games and tournaments, as well as at least one practice per week. Prices vary.

Through the Newton Recreation Commission, opportunities are available for youth indoor soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, flag football and outdoor soccer.

Bascue said the majority of the leagues are for kids 12 and younger, while a few go a little older.

Costs for the programs enrolling now — indoor soccer and baseball/softball — are $26 for USD 373 residents and $32 for non-residents.

Most of the youth leagues play six to eight games. Scores are not kept until about fifth or sixth grade. There are no tournaments.

Scholarships

and assistance

The Greater Wichita YMCA offers financial assistance for membership fees for some users.

As a starting point, they use a sliding scale based on income and number of people in the family.

YMCA officials have chosen not to release the sliding scale to the public.

However, Shelly Conrady, director of communications for the Greater Wichita YMCA, said the goal is not to turn anyone away because of an inability to pay.

The YMCA also offers various programs, such as a program in Wichita where some students are bused to the YMCA after school and can use the facility at no charge, Schoenbeck said.

Such programs often are funded through donations or United Way funding.

The Newton Recreation Commission offers the “Everyone Should Play” program for children and youth.

Under the program, anyone receiving free or reduced-cost school lunches or who has a Health Wave Medical Card or State of Kansas Health Insurance Card can participate at a 50-percent reduced rate.

The program is available for many programs, including youth leagues and other team activities, as well as many classes.

Bascue said beyond the “Everyone Should Play” program, the commission tries to help as many children and adults as possible be able to participate.

“We are not going to turn somebody away” because they are not financially able to participate, Bascue said.

He said sometimes he can work out payment plans or offer assistance on a case-by-case basis and said it’s important to get as many people, especially kids, as involved as possible.

“We want the kids to participate,” he said. “They need to participate.”

Fee and program information taken from the Newton Recreation Commission Winter/Spring 2008-2009 Activity Guide and literature provided by the Greater Wichita YMCA.