Matthew Hazlett/ The Towerlight

The Towson Family Center YMCA is set to begin renovations this month, Beverly Landis, the Towson Y’s district executive director, said.
She said the people of Towson have been waiting nearly 20 years for the facility to be updated and that the current building and its amenities are dated.
Students say that with the renovations, they may be interested in using the Y’s services.
“I didn’t know that the Y even existed, however I would consider using it depending on what it had to offer in comparison to Burdick and the accessibility of it,” sophomore Alex Wentz said.
The main entrance to the Y will remain open, however the Chesapeake Avenue entrance will be closed until further notice.
The staff will continue to offer services during the construction.
Additions include two saltwater pools, a climbing wall, fitness floor, group exercise studios, gymnasium and locker rooms as well as multi-purpose rooms and increased parking for members.
The new building will also be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, which means it will be considered a “green building.”
“We will also have a lot of open space for members and their families to hang out as we want the Y to be the ‘third place’ in their lives,” Landis said.
The project will cost nearly $11 million.
After much negotiation, the plan was altered to accommodate residents who were concerned about the lighting and the height of the new facility.
Once the new facility is completed the old building will eventually be demolished.
The facility originally opened in the 1960s.
During construction, Landis said she has asked residents to be mindful of the limited parking.
She also requested that members leave spaces closest to the door open for the elderly members.
Members are advised to use the entrance on Allegheny Avenue during the construction.