Len Borchers, Olympic Peninsula YMCA CEO, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim on Sunday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Len Borchers, Olympic Peninsula YMCA CEO, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim on Sunday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Community effort touted as doors to YMCA of Sequim officially open

SEQUIM — The doors to the YMCA of Sequim have officially opened, one year after the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center’s closed.

As officials spoke during the grand opening of the facility Sunday, dozens were enjoying the Y’s pool, which opened to the public Thursday.

That wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of community members and organizations that worked to reopen the facility, said Len Borchers, Olympic Peninsula YMCA CEO.

“It’s a great example of what can happen if we all get together and do the right thing,” Borchers said.

Randy Johnson, a YMCA board member, echoed Borchers.

“When you think about everyone coming together, to me, this is just one of the most wonderful examples I could imagine,” he said. “It wouldn’t have happened without all of us coming together.”

Johnson is running for the Clallam County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat against Ron Richards.

Officials said that by the grand opening Sunday, nearly 2,000 people were members of the Sequim YMCA.

The YMCA took over operations after SARC closed Oct. 30, 2015.

Members of Clallam County Parks and Recreation District 1, the junior taxing district that owns SARC, voted to turn the facility’s management over to the Olympic Peninsula YMCA.

The facility will see an expansion of hours, with the YMCA of Sequim open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Frank Pickering, chair of the SARC board, said one year ago, he had the misfortune of locking the doors to SARC behind him.

“I, from the SARC board, would like to say thank you very much to everyone that worked together because this community really badly needs this asset,” he said.

When SARC closed, about 80 people, including many teenagers, were without work, he said.

As the Sequim Y moves forward, Kurt Turner, branch manager, expects the YMCA to hire some 50 to 60 teenagers.

“At the Y, we’re looking forward to serving the community,” he said. “It was a community effort to get it going, and it’s going to be a community effort to keep us thriving and rolling, moving in the direction we want to.”

The YMCA of Sequim’s Because Life Is a Community Sport Campaign raised $176,380 to help youths and needy families participate in YMCA programs. The YMCA of Sequim launched the campaign in June and received gifts from 140 donors.

The YMCA also operates a facility in Port Angeles at 302 S. Francis St. and in Port Townsend at 1925 Blaine St.

For more about the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, see olympicpeninsulaymca.org.

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum, serves on the Olympic Peninsula YMCA board of directors.

Sequim Mayor Dennis Smith tells people during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim on Sunday the YMCA saved a tremendous asset for Sequim by continuing operations at the former Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Sequim Mayor Dennis Smith tells people during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim on Sunday the YMCA saved a tremendous asset for Sequim by continuing operations at the former Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Randy Johnson, Olympic Peninsula YMCA board member, said during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim that the new Y is a result of everybody coming together. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Randy Johnson, Olympic Peninsula YMCA board member, said during the grand opening of the YMCA of Sequim that the new Y is a result of everybody coming together. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading