Three Chicago-area YMCA centers are set to close permanently Monday, part of the ongoing fallout from the coronavirus-related shutdown, the organization said.
All three of the facilities closing their doors — the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles, the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines and the Kroehler Family YMCA in Naperville— have been operating at a loss and have seen declining membership in recent years, the organization said Friday.
“The overwhelming stress that the coronavirus ... pandemic has put on the global economy has also put an enormous strain on our organization. We’ve reached the point where we are no longer able to sustain these centers during and after the pandemic,” Richard Malone, president and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, said in a statement.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago temporarily closed the doors of all of its 17 membership centers, five overnight camps, and dozens of extension sites on March 16 to help contain the spread of the coronavirus,
Members who belong to the centers set to close will be offered up to a six-month complimentary membership to another Y center of their choice when facilities reopen, the organization said, adding that full refunds will be available for anyone who has already paid for any upcoming programs at the closing facilities.
“The road ahead is unclear and like all Americans, the Y will do our absolute best to recover. We thank all of our members, program participants, and supporters at the Kroehler, Lattof, and Leaning Tower YMCA for their continuous support over the years and for their understanding as we move forward with these unfortunate but necessary closures,” Malone said.
