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The highly anticipated opening of the beautiful new Reuter Family YMCA, located at 3 Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park (off Long Shoals Road on Asheville's south side), is finally here. Grand opening ceremonies were held Wednesday afternoon, April 9, 2003, with YMCA and local government officials in attendance for the dedication and open house for the $8 million complex. As anyone who has ever dealt with contractors and new construction knows, the YMCA came so close to its tentative opening date of April 1that YMCA members who have waited patiently to use the state-of-the-art facility are thrilled with the time schedule. Given the energy and interest this new branch is generating, the April 12 opening to the general membership proved to be a busy day.
The YMCA of Western North Carolina has long been a strong community leader for the promotion of good health and physical fitness, and this long-awaited branch on the south side promises to serve large numbers of health-conscious area residents. The often crowded downtown YMCA branch is likely to experience some relief on the demand for its facilities now that the Reuter branch is open, creating a more desirable atmosphere at that popular location.
Several membership categories are available. Adult memberships are available for individuals who are 19 and older. The cost for an adult membership is a $75 joining fee and $39 per month (by automatic bank draft). There are no contracts to sign, so membership can be terminated at any time. Adult members are eligible for full use of the facility, including the pool, wellness center, gym, free fitness classes, and discounts on YMCA programs and activities. Family memberships are available for married couples or single parents, along with their children age 18 and under. Parents and/or adults receive adult membership benefits and children receive youth/teen benefits. The cost for a family membership is a $100 joining fee $54 per month (by automatic bank draft).
The YMCA offers financial assistance for those in need to the extent that the YMCA is able. For more information on financial assistance, please call the YMCA offices at 828-251-5909. The Reuter Family branch of the YMCA is located at 3 Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park. From I-26, take the Long Shoals Road exit, and turn in the direction of the TC Roberson High School sign. Turn left at Schenk Parkway (the main entrance to Biltmore Park); go straight at 4-way stop. The YMCA is on the right. From Hendersonville Road, turn onto Long Shoals Road and turn right onto Schenk Parkway. For more information, please call the YMCA's Reuter branch at 828-684-9620, visit the YMCA web site at www.ymcawnc.org, or stop by the facility. (Photos and drawings provided by Reuter YMCA)
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The Reuter Family branch - so named in honor of Jeannett and Irving Reuter, whose Janirve Foundation contributed $2 million toward completion of the facility - offers an extensive array of classes, programs, and health equipment, including a 4,150-square-foot Wellness Center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and instruction, an air-conditioned full court gymnasium with an indoor running/walking track, and a six-lane, 25-meter, indoor swimming pool. Also included are multipurpose rooms for aerobics and youth programs, a child development center, an indoor playground with supervision for the care of young children while parents are using YMCA facilities, an indoor climbing wall, locker rooms with showers, rehabilitation space operated in partnership with Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital, and a community health center run in collaboration with Mission St. Joseph's Hospital. 
For those who are considering a new membership with the YMCA of Western North Carolina, now might be a good time to go ahead and get it. Bill Griffin, Executive Director of the Reuter Family YMCA, emphasizes that a membership purchased at any YMCA of Western North Carolina branch (Reuter Family branch, Asheville's downtown branch at 30 Woodfin Street or the Corpening Memorial branch at 1388 Sugar Hill Road in Marion, NC) is good at any of the three branches - membership at one branch is membership at all branches. This arrangement is particularly good for couples or families who might live in one part of town, but work in another, although single adults are likely to find the flexibility very attractive for the same reason.
Teen/student memberships are also available if the teen is the only family member who is interested in joining. This membership is for people who are 13-18 years or are full-time students. Membership entitles those who are 16+ to the benefits of an adult membership. Benefits for members 13-15 include pool and gym use, wellness center use (providing they are supervised by an adult or have passed the YMCA's Youth Wellness Certification), access to locker rooms, and discounts on YMCA programs and activities. There is no joining fee charged for teen/student memberships, however, they are charged $20 per month. Finally, there is a youth membership available for individuals age 12 and under. Benefits include pool and gym use, discounts on YMCA programs and activities, and access to locker rooms.