Expanded YMCA Fitness Center on North Broad Street is Dedicated
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City, state and local officials joined the CEO of the YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity today at the Columbia North branch of the "Y," Broad and Master Streets, for a ribbon-cutting on its newly expanded fitness center.
Officials say this center will give the adult members of the North Philadelphia community a place to work out and the children a safe haven to learn and play.
"We're making a one-million-dollar private capital investment so that the community can gather around it, use it more, and be healthier," said YMCA CEO John Flynn (wielding scissors in photo).
The swimming pool and fitness center area have been renovated.
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams (far left in photo) says facilities like this are one key to crime prevention.
"Everyone wants to be on a team," he said today. "They'll either be on a team of bad people selling drugs or shooting folks, or on a basketball team or a volleyball team or a swim team."
One senior citizen, Evelyn Deaton, said she uses the facility and feels safe at there.
"I come here and I stay most of the day," she tells KYW Newsradio. "I exercise, I can go to the computer room, I can look stuff up on the Internet or I can just sit and read."
