The Family locker room in still on schedule for an Oct. 1 opening. While brand new lockers will remain on order, temporary lockers will be in their place. The new lockers will be installed by the end of October.

 

The women's locker rooms and a new yoga studio are on schedule for a Nov. 1 opening. That's when work begins on the men's locker rooms.

 

The the plan is for one of the women's locker rooms to serve as a temporary locker room for men. Boys will use the Family locker room.

 

This will be the situation through April 1, when all construction and remodeling, including the front lobby, is expected to be finished.

  

LINKING UP  

There's a new after-school program launching this fall

at the Y.

 

Designed for students in grades 4 through 7, the program will offer fresh, inviting activities that will make the difference between simply hanging out at the Y and getting involved.

 

Each day will offer activities in sports, arts and education. Students have been surveyed earlier in the year to see what types of activities they'd like to take part in.

 

Attendance will be on a drop-in basis. The goal is to get students engaged and to show them a good time in their areas of interest.

 

Questions? Call Karri at 345-9806.  

 

SPEAKING OF SHOES 

The Hundred Mile Walk is sneaking up

 

The Y this year is again working with the Mankato School District to collect gently used running shoes to donate to students in the district.

Specifically, we're looking for kids' running shoes for roughly grades K-6. Runners are the ideal source for these shoes as they tend to discard theirs after 300 miles or so. These used shoes are nonetheless perfect for kids -- and their families -- who need shoes for school but can't afford the retail price of new shoes (let alone the two pair required by many schools).

This year, the shoe program will also go toward helping kids who are in area shelters.

The drive begins in October at the Y.  

Get your business in the Y



Have you noticed the new digital message boards in the Y lobby and the Life Center? Not only are these display terminals a more colorful and attractive way to provide members with the latest Y news flashes, it's an affordable way for businesses to support the Y while reaching potential customers.

Marlins welcome new swim coach   

 

The Mankato Marlins are under new leadership this year with head coach Keaton Brown, who's no stranger to the team of more than 80 swimmers.

 

The Greeley, Colo. Native has been coaching with the Marlins for several years while studying psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

 

Brown replaces former head coach Kristen Munden, who accepted a teaching position in New Market, Minn.

 

"This role change for me is both exciting and a little overwhelming," Brown says. "My heart is completely into this team and I'm very passionate about not only teaching the kids about the rules and technicality of swimming, but also about traits and qualities that this sport can teach them. "

 

In a farewell letter to her Marlin families, Munden said she won't be a stranger to the team.

 

"My plan is to still attend as many home meets as possible to see all of you, so prepare to knock my socks off," she wrote. 

Consider making mentoring part of your business   

As the Y's school-based mentoring program enters its second year, so do opportunities to help make a nice difference in a kid's life.

 

Program coordinator Cheryl Hamond is encouraging businesses to adopt a school, as several have in the program's inaugural year.  

 

Businesses including Ridley, PerfecSeal, Carlson Craft and the Y each provided employees to be school-based mentors to individual kids in nearby schools. The mentor and the child would usually meet over the lunch hour for games and conversation at the school.

 

"It's been a success, and you can measure that by just watching the kids light up when their mentor meets with them," Hamond says. "And by how the mentors feel about this new, rewarding role in their lives."

 

Similarly, the community-wide mentoring program, Brother/Sister, is seeking volunteer mentors. Male mentors are especially needed.

 

Businesses and individuals interested in helping out can contact Hamond through email here or by calling 387-8255..

   

When teenagers take control    .
Why not give your children control of government? Imagine what they'll learn.

That's precisely the idea behind the YMCA's Youth In Government program. Open to grades 8 through 12, it's a fall program that culminates with four days of lawmaking at the State Capitol.

Signup begins this month.
To learn more, contact Cheryl Hamond at 387-8255.

In the meantime, explore the program's web site.  

 

Extra Body Pump, yoga and Pilates classes added Popular demand has spoken and mentioned wanting to stay trimmed, toned and healthy. So we've added a few extra fitness classes.

Body Pump Express -- a shorter, faster version of the popular new class -- is available this session from 4 to 4:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays. We've also added an 8:30 a.m. yoga/Pilates fusion class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as well as a power Pilates class that begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

These classes begin the week of Sept. 10, so sign up soon. Call 387-8255.