What a difference a year makes! On December 15, 2023 the West Suburban YMCA held a 1st anniversary celebration for its Wells Avenue facility with an all-day open house. The courts, treadmills, exercise rooms, and pool — which were all all brand new, gleaming, and on display at the grand opening last year — were still gleaming and in full use a year later.
The 1st anniversary celebration highlighted two special guests: Newton Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anna Nolin, and Newton’s Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion, Hattie Kerwin Derrick. They celebrated with WSYMCA staff and board members, WSYMCA members, and the general public — with cake, refreshments, balloons, and noisemakers.
The Wells Avenue Y has over 5,000 members and has created over 50 jobs. Last summer, its Camp Wells day camp served over 250 youth with more than 700 weekly sessions. Together the two WSYMCA facilities — Wells Avenue and Newton Corner — provide services to 1 in 4 youth in Newton.
Sports and school organizations that use the new Wells Avenue facility include Swim Angelfish’s adaptive swim and aquatic therapy, UMass Mt. Ida students, British International School’s fitness and PE classes, Camp Shriver at UMass Boston, IFA New England Soccer, Mass Commanders/ICE Basketball, Brimmer & May School basketball, Solomon Schechter Day School basketball, UVC Boston club volleyball, and Newton Girls Lax.
