The YMCA of Central Florida – which runs facilities with 26 different pools – will not resume its competitive aquatics programs as the YMCA returns from closure during the coronavirus pandemic.
The YMCA confirmed the news this week, noting that aquatics facilities will remain in operation, but competitive aquatics programs will not. The YMCA of Central Florida offered swim teams at 11 different sites, along with water polo at 5 sites and synchronized swimming at one site.
The YMCA of Central Florida‘s statement is below:
The YMCA, like many non-profit organizations, is experiencing significant operational and financial challenges due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the prolonged projection for a full recovery. As a result, the Y determined it does not have the capacity at this time to safely reopen and financially sustain YCF aquatic programs with the level of quality they require. Therefore, the difficult decision was announced today that Y will not resume YCF aquatic programs for the foreseeable future. We encourage our competitive level athletes to explore other program options outside of YCF and welcome all Y members to continue using the pools at any of our reopened YMCA locations. To learn more about how you can help support the life-changing work of Y, please visit ymcacf.org/give.
The YMCA of Central Florida website lists 23 different locations for either YMCA facilities, early-childhood learning centers, residential camps or program locations. The site also touts 26 aquatics facilities including two Olympic-sized pools.
This spring, YMCA Short Course Nationals were one of the first major U.S. swimming events canceled by the novel-2019 coronavirus. Not long after, the YMCA canceled Long Course Nationals, which were to take place in July and August.
Many not for profits are very financially fragile. The Y’s have huge fixed costs and maintaining physical plant with severely diminished revenue is a major challenge.
The “Justus Center” on I-Drive in Orlando FL has always had challenges to stay in the “black”.
An awesome facility that hosted great meets but struggled to maintain a competitive team.
Have to go back to the Team Orlando days when they dominated Florida Swimming.
I’ll always remember the retractable roof that rarely worked. So depending on your lane and the weather you could be in the glaring sun, the rain or under the roof.
It seems if the pools are going to be open, and in use, they would have been better off continuing the team programs. Something doesn’t seem right?!?
Are there other swim teams in this area that can absorb these displaced swimmers? One cannot underestimate the role that Ys play in growing our sport. In some areas of our country Y swimming is the only option for kids. If this becomes a trend it will be devastating for the future of swimming.
I’m sure a lot of teams will greatly benefit from the displaced swimmers. Swimming is much cheaper than other sports and if the 2021 Olympics do take place, swimming numbers will sky rocket like they always do post Olympics.
If the ymca dropping competitive swimming trend continues… I see this as devastating to the ymca.
We are a YMCA competive swim family from Ohio. We moved into a new building this season and our team grew from 90 kids to 160, just due to the new pool alone. Those familes pay to be on the team, as well as their montly family or child/ swimmer membership fees. Many have a membership for the soul purpose of being on the swim team. How could that not be profitable? Many families will leave the YMCA all togther to swim at a club team. They will lose money and membership. This is a very stupid move.
Maybe there are locals who will pay $ to swim at a pool without squads taking up space .
Somehow the Y (Young) always seems to be lost with YMCA’s.
What about Men & Christian ?
Sounds like some bad execs running the show. Good luck making up the memberships!
I agree, competitive teams are usually one of the few programs that actually make money for YMCA’s.
Exactly, and you figure some of these teams are paying 30-40k annually in rent while also supporting ymca programs with donations. At $40 per individual membership, they will need to increase their membership by ~80 per location. Now factor in how many people are going to drop their membership because their team is no longer there. Now factor in the families who will no longer donate.
Good luck achieving any success while dropping these programs. This is going to be a costly decision that couldn’t have come at a worse time… during a pandemic.
It was a premature poorly planned decision and shows that these ymcas are being poorly run.
Not too different than what’s happened to Birmingham. They gutted pretty much the entire coaching staff like 2 weeks ago.
That’s brutal too. Sorry to hear that.
YMCA = Young Men’s Cash Association
not sure about this specific Y, but YMCAs generally are wonderful organizations.
Also non-profits and not flush with cash in many cases.
Is this Rowdy’s organization?
Rowdy was vice president of this YMCA for a few years based on their website. Looks like he jumped ship before things got really bad… It’s just tough to see his name associated with this Y