PARKING

Parking continues to be a topic of frustration for our members, not just in the evenings, but in the morning as well. There were complaints related to the number of handicapped spots available and people illegally parking in them. There was also discussion related to seniors and people with disabilities having to park far away when the weather is bad.

• The YMCA at ACRC exceeds the number of handicapped spots required by the state of MN. We ask that if you do not have a valid permit to park in those spots you do not park there. Members observing someone parking illegally is encouraged to call law enforcement. The YMCA is not responsible for policing those spots.
• We encourage all those who can, park as far away as possible, leaving spots closer to the building for those who are elderly or have disabilities. We can all do our part to be respectful of our Y community and allow easy access to those who need it most.
• The north side of the Riverside Arena Lot has been designated as overflow for our facility. Please use this lot when our lots are full.

CLASS TIMES AND OFFERINGS

The changes that were made to aquatics class offerings caused frustration among some members. While we do appreciate that change can be difficult, the changes were made to address staffing issues and add operational efficiencies. Going forward we understand the need to inform members sooner of potential changes and when possible, get feedback so we can identify the impact of the change.

From our perspective, we ask that people participating in our classes consider that we are constrained by the staff available to offer classes. This includes the number and type of classes we have the capacity to offer on a regular basis. We do not want to offer classes that we are not able to sustain on a consistent basis either due to staffing or constraints of the facility.

EQUIPMENT REQUESTS

We get many requests for new equipment purchases for this facility. While we appreciate the ideas, we ask that you speak directly with a director or team member regarding your request. That allows us the opportunity to understand the need for the equipment as well as the potential impact and number of members that will ultimately benefit.

We have a running “wish list” of new equipment, which is prioritized and reviewed on a regular basis. We hope to invest in a few pieces of equipment each year that allow us to serve the most members and ultimately make the most impact. These decisions are weighed with the cost of maintaining our current equipment to achieve the longest life. Our funds and funding sources are limited, therefore our decisions are intentional and with the best long term interest of our facility and members in mind.

HOURS of OPERATION

We have received feedback regarding our hours of operation, specifically on Saturday. Our hours are a function of our ability to provide the appropriate staffing to ensure our building is safe for our members. We currently do not have the capacity to remain open longer than the hours listed. We evaluate our hours on a regular basis and hope to expand in the near future to increase member satisfaction.

YMCA PERSPECTIVE

Our goal is to create the best experience for everyone who enters our facility. Unfortunately, there are limits to what we can do. We cannot please everyone or provide all programming, classes, etc. at the day, time that works for everyone. We need to weigh the operational aspects so we can operate as efficiently as possible and manage our costs to continue to keep our rates accessible for our community. This is a balance that we work to achieve every day and for everyone who enters. Please know that our decisions are thoughtful and made with intention and in the best interest of our community and the long-term sustainability of the YMCA at ACRC. Thank you for your understanding and for being an important part of this community. We look forward to hearing from you and for more member forums to come. Please continue to direct your comments and questions to our comment box or info@ymcaatacrc.org. We are listening!

Why did the Y take over what was supposed to be the Rec Center?
As part of the Vision 2020 process it was determined that our community would benefit from a new YMCA and recreation center. When considering the budget and management, it made sense to have one entity responsible for the entire facility. That is why the YMCA manages and maintains the YMCA along with the Rec Center portion of the building.

Why is it so hard to get into the Family Fun Pool?
We are currently experiencing a shortage of Lifeguards. With our #1 priority being the safety of our staff and community we can only allot a specific number of people in the FFP per Lifeguard. If you or someone you know are interested in becoming a certified Lifeguard, please follow this link for details on our trainings. We also ask that if you are visiting the FFP on a regular basis, consider limiting your visits to allow others the opportunity to enjoy the pool.

Do Austin tax dollars go towards the Community spaces at the Rec Center?
The YMCA receives funding from the City of Austin to help support staffing of the Youth / Teen Center as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the community spaces and grounds.

When is the Indoor Playground open?
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm*
Saturday 9:00am – 3:30pm

*Due to state licensing and insurance requirements, the playground will be closed to the public during YMCA Preschool play hours which are Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30am – 10:00am and 1:30pm – 2:00pm.

If the playground is closed in addition to the hours above, it is for mandatory cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Indoor Playground is meant for ages 2-10. Children should be actively supervised at ALL TIMES. The YMCA is not responsible for supervising children in this area. If you experience issues in the play area, please report them to the Member Engagement team at the YMCA check-in desk.

Who can use the Youth / Teen Center?
The Youth/Teen Center is meant to be a safe space for kids to gather after school hours. Activities are geared towards kids in 5th-12th grades. We do welcome younger children if they are accompanied by an adult.

The Youth / Teen Center is open to the community, Monday – Friday 3:00pm – 6:00pm and the first Saturday of the month from 11:00am – 2:00pm. The Youth / Teen Center is a supervised space with some organized activities. Children and adults must check-in with the attendant upon arrival. Please check our website as times may adjust with need.

Questions/Comments/Concerns? Please send us an email at info@ymcaatacrc.org