YMCA to open fitness center at utilities site

Move is good 'for entire downtown,' Bill Yell says

Come this spring, downtown will have a new fitness venue for people who work or live downtown.

Local officials announced Friday that the Heart of the Valley YMCA will open a 14,378-square-foot fitness center on the first floor of the Huntsville Utilities building on Spragins Street. The Downtown Express Center will include weight machines, an aerobics studio and a state-of-the-art cardio theater.

"Ever since we renovated this facility, we've searched for a tenant that would be good not only for the building but for the entire downtown community," said Huntsville Utilities spokesman Bill Yell.

"No one agency can thrive without the help of others," said Scott Mounts, CEO and president of the YMCA. He noted that the city is helping out with parking; there will be 50 spaces for fitness center members at the utilities parking lot, and the city is opening 50 spaces at its parking garage on Church Street to accommodate Huntsville Utilities employee vehicles.

"It was a cooperation between all three parties," Yell said.

Mayor Loretta Spencer said the center will be a benefit to those living and working downtown.

"City employees will enjoy the opportunity to have a workout," she said.

Other amenities planned for the $850,000 project, which is expected to open in May, include aerobics and spinning studios, a whirlpool, women's and men's locker rooms and a child watch area. Cardio machines such as treadmills and stationary bicycles will be equipped with individual audio feed and video screens. Exercisers may choose a music or TV station or plug in their own MP3 player, Mounts said. Yoga, Pilates and other exercise classes will be offered, he said.

"We welcome the YMCA downtown, right where it belongs," said Ronnie Boles, chairman of Huntsville Utilities' board of directors.

The Central YMCA opened downtown at Green and Randolph streets in 1912. It served Huntsvillians for eight decades, until its use as a YMCA was no longer practical. It's now used by a law firm.

The utilities building was renovated in 2006. Sci-Quest, Huntsville's hands-on science museum, considered the spot, but the plan was derailed when the utility said it would have to charge the market rate for leasing the space.

The project "allows the YMCA to grow its mission," said David Mathis, chairman of the YMCA's board of directors.