The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities is closing fitness centers in downtown St. Paul, Lino Lakes and Prior Lake to explore ways to repurpose them as "community hubs."
The "COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our organization just as it has for nonprofits and businesses across the world," Chief Operating Officer Greg Waibel said in a statement. "The changes we are making are not ones we had planned to make when we began the year, but have become necessary for the Y to remain sustainable and relevant for the near and long term."
The YMCA, one of Minnesota's largest nonprofits, declined to comment further Tuesday.
The closures come as the YMCA has seen revenue drop by 30% this year after closing camps, fitness centers and child care programs for several months due to the pandemic. Last week, the Y laid off 146 part-time and full-time staff while keeping 3,428 employees on unpaid furlough.
Sarah Page of Bloomington is among those losing her job in August as a part-time fitness instructor at the River Valley YMCA in Prior Lake.
"In that area, there's no substitute," said Page, who also works full time as a nurse. "All the clubs really have their own kind of unique feel."
She said it's unlikely there will be open teaching spots for her at another Y, but she's more upset about the loss of the popular gym for her family. They've been members for six years.
"River Valley was kind of its own family, its own community," Page said. "It's almost like losing a family."