New Bayside 'Y' Open for Business

The new Bayside YMCA has opened.

“It was a very busy day,” said Executive Director Joseph Martino said of Monday, June 17. “The first people were lined up at the door at 5 am, when we opened.” 

The Bayside 'Y' serves Barrington, Riverside, Warren and Bristol. Located at the end of West Street in Barrington, it is part of the Greater Providence YMCA.

Martino said he was pleasantly surprised with the number of people who signed on as members. 

“We got a lot of the old members back,” said Martino. “We also got a lot of new members.”

Of course, the Hall Family Center with the Collis Aquatic Center was the big draw.

“People were coming and going all day,” said Martino.

The centers include a new 6-lane swimming pool with an adjacent 2-lane family pool, a babysitting center, a new welcome desk and lounge just inside the new front door, a separate lounge and observation area that overlooks the pool and new lockers rooms for men, women and families.

The next big day for the facility is Thursday, June 27. The new Bayside YMCA will be dedicated with a special guest: RI Gov. Lincoln Chafee.

“His father dedicated the original building 50 years ago,” said Martino of the late former RI governor and senator John Chafee. “That’s quite a connection.”