Lance Gray arrived at the Tempe Family YMCA about six years ago, about the time the sprawling Lifetime Fitness facility opened a few miles away.
It was not a coincidence, says Gray, who arrived at the south Tempe facility as membership director.
The emergence of the big chain gyms – there are three within a few miles of the Tempe Y – represents a significant challenge.
“We don’t like to look at those places as our competitors,’’ says Gray, who was promoted to operations director in December.
“The YMCA has been around for 150 years. Aside from (McDonald’s) golden arches, our logo is the most recognizable in the world. But we do realize that people have other options. Our goal is to provide the best value for the dollar, and I think we do that.’’
Beyond the gym amenities and programs, Gray says the YMCA’s mission is far different than those of for-profit gyms.
“We really feel that our place in the community makes us unique,’’ Gray says. “Since the YMCA started, no kid has ever been turned away for an inability to pay. The money we make goes back into our community, not some corporate office somewhere.
“We think that makes us different. Ours is the top fund-raising facility in our association (Valley of the Sun YMCA). We will raise $238,000 this year, which goes to our program and for sponsorships so kids who can’t afford to join can participate in things like our after-school programs and summer camps.’’
Even so, the emergence of the mega-gyms represents a challenge for YMCA. To meet that test, Gray says the Y has strengthened its commitment to providing the best of service, at the same time strengthening its ties to the community.
“We’re truly a multi-generational facility, and I think that sets us apart from a lot of the big gyms,’’ Gray says. “You spend a day here and you’ll see what I’m talking about. In the morning, you’ll see the stay-at-home moms, then about 10 or 11, you’ll begin to see the retirees coming for their classes.
“In the afternoon, you’ll have the kids coming in for the after-school programs, and in the evening you’ll see people coming in after work to get their work-out in.
“This weekend, we’re having a birthday party for Jane Berreth, who turns 100 years old and comes and works out three days a week. On the other end, we have our Itty Bitty league programs. It’s the whole range.’’
One of the Tempe Y’s most exciting projects is the Fitness on the Move program.
“The idea was developed through a childhood obesity program we’re working with,’’ Gray says. “It was hard for us to work out the logistics of bringing elementary students here to get them in a fitness program, so we decided to take the program to them.’’
The Tempe YMCA converted a school bus into a fitness trailer, similar to those used by the PGA Tour. The bus is equipped with six pieces of workout equipment.
“We’re still in the putting-it-together stage, but we did a test run at (Kyrene del) Cielo and were able to get 500 kids through the bus in an hour-and-a-half. We think it’s going to be a great addition to what we do, especially for charter schools, which generally don’t have much in the way of gyms or places to work out.’’
Tempe Family YMCA is located at 7070 S. Rural Road, just north of Elliot.
Information: 480-730-0240.
