For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA
Marketing & Communications Department
lcozewith@madisonymca.org  

For Immediate Release  

 
Make a Splash With Us
The Madison Area YMCA’s 8-Lane Pool Is Open 

Caption (L to R): Pictured is Associate Executive Director–Programs Kim Buccheri, Aquatics Program Director Yean Jimenez, and Senior Aquatics Director & Mariners Head Coach Jon Siegel in the new 8-lane pool at the Madison Area YMCA’s new Walker D. Kirby Aquatics Center. Feeling the excitement of the long anticipated 8-lane pool opening to members, Kim, Jon and Yean continue to plan new aquatics programming for the fall.  

(Madison, NJ) August 6, 2021 –Construction on the long-planned expansion of the Madison Area YMCA Family Center was recently completed, opening the way for the introduction of new programs and services. The $18M expansion began construction in September 2019, and the final furnishings and equipment are being installed this summer.  

Rather than a single opening date, the Y will continue to introduce programs in the new space as well as in its existing spaces in phases. This week, the Madison Area YMCA’s new eight-lane pool opened to its members for lap swim. The opening of the eight-lane pool, located in the Madison Area YMCA’s new Walker D. Kirby Aquatics Center, is part of the phased opening of the new and repurposed Family Center spaces, bringing additional programs and services to members in August and throughout the fall.  

“We are thrilled to finish construction on this major expansion. Aquatic safety and swimming instruction are among our highest priorities, and we continue to work on recruiting and fully training certified, experienced instructors and additional lifeguards to expand our existing team of aquatics coaches, lifeguards and managers,” said Madison Area YMCA CEO Diane Mann. “Now with two pools, we need a larger number of highly qualified aquatics staff so we can meet the growing demand for swimming lessons for people of all ages,” she said. 

 
The new 8-lane pool is open for lap swim to Madison Area YMCA members  Mondays - Fridays, 7-10 a.m. (eight lanes) and from 3:30-7:30 p.m., (four lanes), and Saturday and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. (eight lanes).  

“We anticipate that more programs and services, including lane availability will be introduced throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022 to fully utilize the new expansion and repurposed spaces,” said Associate Executive Director–Programs Kim Buccheri. Although registration is not required for lap swim, we require swimmers to sign in and out at the pool deck to allow our team to best evaluate our members' pool usage and adjust our schedule and staffing needs as we continue to expand our offerings,” she said.  

The Madison Area YMCA’s Masters Adult Swimming Program has returned to the pool along with instructional stroke clinics. “We are excited to be able to expand our offerings and get our members back in the water!,” said Aquatics Program Director Yean Jimenez. “This August, we are offering a special Masters Adult Swim Welcome Back Clinic, at no fee for Madison Area YMCA members and open to nonmembers for a fee,” he said.  

The Madison Area YMCA's new Walker D. Kirby Aquatics Center, featuring our 8-lane pool and upgraded 4-lane pool, will open with youth and adult programming with our Fall 2021 Program Session, beginning on September 13. In addition to youth and adult swim programs, the Y plans to provide parent/child swim lessons, Masters Adult Swimming Program, private swim lessons, lifeguard classes, aqua exercise, water aerobics, and more new and exciting programs. 

“I have a personal passion for the aquatics program and expect to see many laps hauled in this spectacular new Aquatics Center,” said S. Dillard Kirby, President of the F.M. Kirby Foundation, and Madison Area YMCA Board Member. “More important to the Y’s mission, do you know that every year, there are kids and adults who drown in this country because they never learned to swim? The Madison Y is here to make sure we don’t experience that in our community.” 

The new Madison Area YMCA Aquatics Center will be a valuable resource for the community, providing comprehensive water safety programs and offering year-round recreational opportunities for all ages. 

 “Our purpose is so much deeper than our new pool,” said Senior Aquatics Director & Mariners Head Coach Jon Siegel. “As we continue working to bring home our Mariners swim team, teach lifesaving skills to those learning how to swim, and offer swimming for health and wellness, we also look to expand our staff with competitive compensation and ongoing training to assure top-quality safety and support to all swimmers,” he said. For more information on our Aquatics programs including private swim lessons, or joining our team of dedicated swim professionals, please contact Senior Aquatics Director Jon Siegel: jsiegel@madisonymca.org or 973-822-9622 x2228. 

To learn more about our phased opening, please visit www.madisonareaymca.org/getexcited. To learn more about our current Aquatics offerings, visit www.madisonareaymca.org/aquatics. 

The Madison Area YMCA’s Family Center is located at 111 Kings Road, in Madison. Join the Y today! The Y strives to be available for all with financial assistance provided for membership. Please email Membership@madisonymca.org to join, to reactivate a Madison Area YMCA membership, or for financial assistance information. 

As a leader in healthy living, the Madison Area YMCA diligently monitors developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and communicates with and provides resources to our community. Wellness for all ages has never been more essential to our community than it is now. As a mission-driven charitable organization and community wellness center, the Madison Area YMCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of our youth, providing a safe space for teens, improving the community’s health and well-being, and giving back by providing support to our neighbors.   

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