Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Inauguration of Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA and Active Aging Center
The Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA and Active Aging Center celebrated its grand opening with a joyous Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on October 18, 2023. This groundbreaking facility, a collaborative effort between the YMCA of the Chesapeake and the Queen Anne’s County Department of Community Services, Area Agency on Aging, represents a significant step towards providing comprehensive health and wellness services for the entire community, embracing a multi-generational approach to improve the overall well-being and health of Queen Anne's County residents.
County Commissioner Jim Moran, shared his enthusiasm, saying, "We have our active adults using the YMCA, we have families using the YMCA, we have students using the YMCA. This facility checks off so many boxes when it comes to our community and quality of life. The path that led us here started in 2009 with a feasibility study, and things got rolling in 2015 with the donation of the property by the County Commissioners. With a promise of opening its doors in 10 years from that time, here we are 8 years later."
County Commissioner Jack Wilson also praised the achievement, stating, "KRM Development Corporation needs to be recognized for their accomplishment. Completing a facility like this during unprecedented supply chain issues and the increasing cost of materials is a massive undertaking, and they should be commended for how they handled the entire project."
Cathy Willis, Director of Community Services, expressed her passion for supporting seniors, "My passion has been to advocate for our seniors for the last 30 years of my career. Given the opportunity to partner with the YMCA to create this blended community space has been amazing. Being able to offer programs and activities that support aging citizens in an effort to remain healthy, active, independent, and to age in place alongside children, families, and students is a dream come true."
The Queen Anne’s County Active Aging Center is open to all members of the community age 55 and over, and a YMCA membership is not required to enter. Active Aging members will enjoy access to specific programming and blended YMCA classes. For access to amenities outside of those scheduled times, a YMCA membership will be required.
This new Active Aging Center in Centreville is set to complement the existing Senior Centers across the county, including Grasonville, Kent Island, and Sudlersville, with transportation to these centers facilitated by County Ride. Membership at any of the four locations, including the newly inaugurated Active Aging Center, is open to anyone age 55 and over at no cost. Membership applications can be found by visiting any of the locations.
For more information, you can visit the Queen Anne’s County Active Aging Center Facebook page @QACActiveAging or call 443-262-9994. To learn more about the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA, its programs, and membership details, please visit https://ymcachesapeake.org/locations/queen-annes-county-family-ymca or follow them on social media @QACYMCA.
To watch the entire Ribbon Cutting Ceremony https://youtu.be/0NXBzwi2PvI?si=Ndvl8BXrL3QecX2t
Picture L-R: Eric Johnson, Town Of Centreville Council, Dan Worth, Town of Centreville Council, Ashley Kaiser, Town of Centreville Town Council, Chris Corchiarino, County Commissioner, Jim Moran, County Commissioner, Steve Hershey, MD Senator, Carmel Roques, Maryland Secretary of Aging, Robbie Gill, CEO YMCA of Chesapeake, Jack Wilson, County Commissioner, Patrick McLaughlin, County Commissioner, Katherine Hager, QAC Clerk of Circuit Court, Helen Bennett, QAC Board of Education Member, Shannon Bent, QAC Board of Education Member