JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Members of an Arlington branch of the YMCA are worried about how the closing of their beloved gym facility will affect the surrounding community.
The Arlington Family YMCA, which has two locations -- one on Atlantic Boulevard and the other on Fort Caroline Road -- is set to close by Jan. 1, 2018.
According to the First Coast YMCA's senior vice president, significant operating costs and a decrease in membership have forced the organization to close the Arlington locations.
In the last four years, memberships have gone from 838 to 238. It's the Fort Caroline location that has some people concerned, because it serves local children through sports and other youth programs.
MORE: Questions and answers about closing of Arlington YMCA
"We're going to have a lot of children that may be on the street while their parents are working because they don't have that caring atmosphere to help them,” Arlington YMCS member Roslyn Abdur Rahman said.
Abdur Rahman said the closing of the Atlantic Boulevard location is devastating to her and her gym buddies, who enjoy Silver Sneakers classes and dancing at the Y.
"It's a family atmosphere. That's why everybody loves it,” Abdur Rahman said. "I'm very upset, and it's appalling because there's so many people that depend on this Y.”
The Arlington Y plans to complete its youth basketball season. But next year, kids in Arlington will have to participate in the sports and youth programs offered at other YMCA locations. As for the seniors, most said they will stay with the Y.
"You're going to have to travel a little bit with this Y closing, but there are other Ys that are accessible and I have no problem driving,” Arlington YMCA member Judy Thompson said.
But others who don't have the means to travel to other locations said they will have to look for other options.
News4Jax found a few options for seniors near the YMCA's current location:
- Youfit on Arlington Expressway is less than 3 miles away. It offers Silver Sneakers classes for $10 a month. Some insurance carriers will even cover the membership fee.
- Bailey's Gym on Merrill Road offers classes for senior citizens. The gym is open 24 hours a day and memberships start at $20.
- LA Fitness is also close by and offers Silver Sneakers classes. Membership averages about $30 a month.