Tewksbury Select Board Approves YMCA Programming Contract

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Select Board recently approved a plan for the Greater Lowell YMCA to operate programming out of the Tewksbury Recreation Center.

The board unanimously approved the measure at its April 9 meeting. The measure awarded a contract for recreational programs and activities to Lowell YMCA and provided for a three-year lease of Saunders Recreation Facility and Fields on Livingston Street.

Randle Cassady, senior program director for the Greater Lowell YMCA, told the board he hopes to have some programs ready to go May 6.

In the late spring and early summer, Cassady said the YMCA will offer adult cardio and yoga in the evenings. They're hoping to offer Zumba as well but said the floor, which is currently carpet, will need to be changed.

The YMCA will also offer youth fitness, visual arts, music and movement, and possibly soccer and basketball skills. They'd also like to offer youth dance but will need new flooring to do so.

Cassady said they hope to have monthly events beginning in the fall, such as a Grandparents' Day event in September and a costume party in October.

The YMCA also intends to run a summer day camp from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for seven weeks beginning July 8 for children ages 7 and older.

Cassady said the YMCA is working on making programs inclusive.

"There's no such thing as a one size fits all," he said.

Currently, adapting programming will be on a case-by-case basis. He encouraged any parents with concerns to contact him.

Cassady said all programs will first be offered to Tewksbury residents, then to Y members. Two weeks of signups for programs will initially be made to Tewksbury residents only. He said the YMCA is contracting with the Town of Tewksbury with the purpose of offering services to residents. Residents do not need to be Y members to sign up for programs.

Cassady said they will be setting a low capacity this summer as programs get started as many people already have their summers booked.

Registration links are hosted in the newly launched “Recreation Resources” page on the town website under the YMCA’s subpage here. The registration link will redirect to the YMCA's online portal dedicated to Tewksbury residents. The registration link may be accessed here.

Any with questions or trouble registering can contact Ashley Goroski, assistant camp and families director for the Greater Lowell YMCA, by emailing agoroski@lowellymca.org