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Ribbon cutting for enhancements made at local YMCA
YMCA ribbon cutting
YMCA Branch Director Michael Whitten, center, prepares to cut the ribbon on the Liberty County/Armed Service YMCA Oct. 2. The ribbon cutting celebrated recent renovations made to the facility. The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA members and other community members took a tour of the enhanced facility after the ceremony. (Photo/Patty Leon)

The Liberty County/Armed Services YMCA held a ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon to highlight the renovations and enhancements made at their facility.

Liberty County Chamber of Commerce Director Leah Poole welcomed YMCA Board members, YMCA Branch Director Michael Whitten, chamber members and the public as they cut the ribbon and gave everyone a tour of their newer surroundings.

“The YMCA has served the Liberty County community for over 20 years,” Whitten said prior to cutting the ribbon. “Our new fitness center is just another piece that the YMCA can add to benefit the community.”

Whitten said the new equipment offers them the opportunity to treat the mental and spiritual aspects of a person in addition to the physical body. He added the YMCA is looking at ways to also assist cancer survivors and folks with Parkinson’s disease in a holistic way.

“It’s not just working on our bodies,” Whitten said. “With the programs we are going to develop here, it will allow us to help improve our mental state as well as our spiritual state.”

One program, Lift-Strong program is a 12 program which is free and for cancer survivors. Whitten said they added a boxing room. He said boxing programs are well suited for people who have been diagnosed with the disease. Whitten said they plan to have group classes that are focused on cardio as well as classes on boxing techniques and form.

Among the new equipment is a Cross-Fit Cage which allows the YMCA staff to train a variety of whole body exercises and movements at one station, accommodating multiple people during a fitness regime.

They’ve added a training sled, which is also multifunctional in targeting different muscles for a complete whole body training program. They received 20 new training cycles replacing equipment that was two decades old.

The exercise machines and cardio equipment were swapped around so that the weightlifting equipment is in now in a larger space.

 The basketball court is now equipped to also be transformed into a pickle-ball court and all the locker room facilities have been renovated. The YMCA still has their indoor pool and cardio room. 

On Oct. 19 the YMCA will host their 14th annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., featuring live entertainment, classic car show, vendors, games, group fitness classes and prizes. That same day they are planning their Going Nowhere Fast Triathlon involving swimming, biking and running. The event is co-hosted by the City of Hinesville.

For more information on the triathlon email: Michael.whitten@ymcaofcoastalga.org or Whitney Morris Reed at: wmorrisreed@cityofhinesville.org

For more information about the local YMCA visit: www.ymcaofcoastalga.org

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