Wayne YMCA members will pay less after township takeover. New fees revealed

WAYNE — The average user of the YMCA will likely pay less for a monthly or annual membership when the facility on Pike Drive is taken over by the township this fall.

In some cases, current members will see steep discounts.

An annual pass for an adult, between the ages of 27 and 64, now costs $852. But under a proposed fee structure unveiled last week by the township administration, the same person would pay as little as $429. And the charge for a monthly pass, which is $71 at the YMCA, would cost a minimum of $39.

The new fees, which also include prices for children and families, and special rates for senior citizens on Medicare, were introduced through an amendment to the municipal code. The ordinance will be up for adoption on Sept. 18.

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The township is under contract to buy the 145,904-square-foot facility off Ratzer Road from the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges for $12.2 million. Officials expect to close on the sale in November, and they have said the purchase will be financed over 12 years with money collected in the open space fund.

Mayor Christopher Vergano said at a public meeting Wednesday that “things are going well” with the impending change in ownership.

“I can only say I’m 110% in favor of purchasing the Y,” he said in response to a man who expressed reservations that night. “I think that for the long term — not just for us, but for our children and our children’s children — it’ll be a place for many townspeople to come together. And I don’t think that this opportunity would come to us ever again.”

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There are nuances in the proposed fee structure that do not exist as part of the current rates.

The township will differentiate, for example, between a resident member and a non-resident member, with the latter paying about 40% more in most instances — but still less than the amount charged at the YMCA.

Officials will offer options for standard memberships and premium memberships. The pricier alternatives will allow users to join non-aquatic adult exercise classes and some youth classes at no additional charge. It will also give them access to certain events taking place at the community center.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wayne YMCA members will pay less after township takeover. New fees revealed