With Purchase of Church Property, YMCA Looks to Build Modern Community Center for All

By: Mollie Shauger | Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | News

West Essex YMCA

LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA, a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, has acquired the needed space to build a brand new, state-of-the-art Y that will better serve the health and wellness and youth program needs of the community for many years to come. 

The Y has purchased the Grace Lutheran Church property at 304 South Livingston Ave., just walking distance from the current Y, and will be involving the community throughout the design and development process, conducting multiple studies in an attempt to solicit feedback so that the new facility is relevant and provides programs and amenities that are essential to members.

“We are excited about this project and the opportunity it presents to expand our programs and services. The Y has long served as a hub for neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations to come together and our vision for this new Y is one that reflects the unity of the local community, and provides opportunities for all to belong and thrive,” said Richard K. Gorab, President and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges. “We look forward to working with the Township of Livingston and community as we develop plans for this new Y.” 

The Y has been a welcoming place for all members of the community who want to live a healthy lifestyle and reach their full potential. The West Essex Y currently provides in-person and virtual wellness programming to more than 3,000 members. The Y also operates Peanut Shell Early Childhood Learning Center, located just off Route 10 in Livingston in the Regent Street office complex.

Beyond its gym, child care, camp, and swim programs, the Y has delivered essential needs to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing over 100,000 pounds of food through partnerships with local entities, providing child care for families of frontline workers, and helping seniors stay healthy and connected during periods of isolation.

“The YMCA has for some time outgrown its current facilities on South Livingston Avenue,” said Township of Livingston Mayor Shawn R. Klein, MD. “Livingston’s YMCA had been an integral and beloved institution in our community for generations and now, with their new location, they will be able to better provide state-of-the-art accommodations and services for years to come.”

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ABOUT THE Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hackensack, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2.8 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.