YMCA CEO Refutes Rumor Of Lakewood Location Closing; Says Organization Is Exploring Consolidation

LAKEWOOD – Jamestown Area YMCA CEO Mark Eckendorf said that there are no plans to close the Lakewood location, refuting a rumor circulating community wide that the location’s doors would be closing.
Eckendorf, however, told WNYNewsNow that the organization is, indeed, exploring efforts to possibly consolidate various branches of the organization, including the Lakewood and Jamestown locations.
“Consolidation studies are taking place,” Eckendorf said. “At some point, we will probably have to consolidate but, at this time, there are no plans.”
Eckendorf said that these studies have taken place for at least two years, pointing out that the Jamestown building is over a century old and Lakewood being over 50-years-old. He added that the organization has previously explored consolidation options.
The CEO said that he’s fielded calls expressing concerns about renewing or purchasing new memberships due to the closing rumor. Eckendorf said that, even if and when consolidation takes place, all memberships will be honored regardless of which branch they were purchased from.
“Nobody needs to worry about their membership,” Eckendorf said.
Eckendorf reiterated that the Lakewood YMCA is not closing, and that there aren’t any plans, at this point, to consolidate.
“Everything is exploratory.”