MECHANICSVILLE, Va. -- After announcing that the Atlee Station YMCA would be closing in October, the YMCA of Greater Richmond now says the facility will be staying open through 2016.
"The YMCA of Greater Richmond is pleased to announce that today the Board enthusiastically endorsed a vote to continue operations at the Atlee Station Family YMCA through 2016," YMCA of Greater Richmond COO Karen Keegan wrote in an email to patrons Friday evening.
Leaders will now work with board members and volunteer leaders to develop a business model to keep the location open past 2016.
"Following successful conversations with HHHunt and a galvanized group of volunteers at Atlee Station, we will recommend to the board on Friday morning that we continue operations at the Atlee Y through October 2016," Keegan said Tuesday. "This is truly a tremendous demonstration of the dedication and commitment of our loyal members, community leaders and business partners."
Word of the closure came originally came after the organization said it had worked to become more mission focused and fiscally responsible. That included analyzing each of the branches.
“This was not an easy decision by the Y’s staff and Board of Directors, but financially this is what is best for our organization. As a nonprofit, the Y must be good stewards of our resources, which ultimately impacts our ability to serve the community and sustain the quality of program delivery and mission fulfillment,” YMCA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Karen Keegan wrote in a statement to CBS 6.
Officials said there are "no plans to discontinue operations at any other branch in our association in the foreseeable future."
The branch was scheduled to close on Oct. 3 and members and staffers of Atlee Station would have likely been transferred to other YMCA locations.
