According to a news release, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio Board of Directors appointed a group of board members and senior executive staff to create the New Braunfels Feasibility Task Force.
“Based on that study, it has been determined that despite our partnership with Resolute Hospital, we lack the facilities and programs to attract the number of families, children and youth necessary to sustain the operation,” YMCA officials said in a news release.
Shannon Gowen, senior director of mission advancement and communications for the YMCA, said that although the location opened right when the pandemic began, other factors played a role in the company choosing to close operations in New Braunfels.
“While we were still at the original location, the city's Das Rec Center moved in close proximity to the Y, and, at the time, we were not able to compete,” Gowen said. “Unfortunately, there were very few members who transferred with us from Landa Street to the Resolute Hospital location.”
According to Gowen, the YMCA hoped their partnership with Resolute Hospital would increase opportunities and keep them in the community but found the location did not attract the number of families necessary to sustain operations. The New Braunfels location invested in new marketing strategies to raise awareness but continued to see low membership numbers.
“The study found that the Y's programming opportunities and visibility within a large hospital complex were limited due to some restrictions,” Gowen said.
According to the YMCA, the closure will result in the termination of all Y memberships and programs, but the organization will continue to offer Summer Day Camp, hosted at Unity of New Braunfels church, and After-School Care in schools throughout the community.
According to Gowen, there are no current plans to reopen another YMCA in New Braunfels, and they are unsure what will occupy the space after their operations cease on July 14.
Current members can inquire about being transferred to another location by emailing [email protected]. 830-606-9622
