Dear YMCA Friends,

These are unprecedented, challenging times. The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving. Schools, businesses, and others are closing their doors temporarily in order to flatten the curve and combat the spread of COVID-19.

At the core of our Y’s mission is social responsibility. This means that everything we do must be for the benefit of our community at large. Since 1915, the Penobscot Bay YMCA has been providing life-changing services that our community has come to rely upon – community health promotion, childcare, summer camp, cancer survivorship programs, and more.  We provide a community hub to stave off social isolation and to create lasting human connections.

Today, with the support of our board, the direction of YMCA of the USA, as well as many discussions with our staff teams, YMCAs around Maine and other states, and our community partners, we have decided that the larger societal benefit is to close temporarily all Penobscot Bay YMCA branches for a two-week period from Tuesday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 31, in order to help fight COVID-19. We plan to reopen on Wednesday, April 1. 

The situation and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control are constantly evolving. We will continue to monitor, communicate with you, and consult with medical professionals. We’ll utilize these two weeks to do deep cleaning, wellness center cleaning, and pool detail work to avoid potential future shutdowns. We will also perform deep disinfecting as a precautionary measure prior to reopening. 

With the permission and oversight of local and state authorities, childcare will continue in our two established early learning locations at Rockport and Rockland

Please know that this decision was not one taken lightly, but one that we have made for the greater good of our community. We may never know if we as a community overacted but we cannot take this risk. 

We’re invested in our community, and we need you to continue investing in us. We need your support and financial partnership to help to steer our Y and community through this daunting challenge, and to maintain our facilities, pay our staff team, and maintain childcare. 

We look forward to opening up our doors again on April 1. We’re grateful for your understanding during this challenging time.   

Be safe.