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New Canaan YMCA Strategic Facility Planning Survey

The New Canaan YMCA is a mission-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and connecting our community through programs and services that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

For over 70 years, the New Canaan YMCA has proudly served our community and adapted with its needs.

As the Board evaluates facility investments, including the needed significant repairs to the Valles Pool building, its goal and responsibility are to determine how to serve the diverse and evolving needs of our community members across all demographics.

Throughout this data-driven process, the Board has thoroughly studied usage of the entire facility. They have also thoughtfully considered the experience of aquatics users, broader member experience, current program/facility demands, and the results of a recent community needs assessment conducted with community members and town leaders.

As the strategic vision for the New Canaan YMCA's future is developed, we'd like to hear from you regarding your YMCA experience, interests, and insight on how the Y can be most impactful in serving our community.

Thank you!
1.Are you a current New Canaan YMCA member?(Required.)
2.How often does someone in your household use the below YMCA facilities or programs?(Required.)
Daily
Several Times Per Week
Once Per Week
A Few Times Per Month
Rarely
Never
Valles Pool (Lap Pool & Dive Well)
Forese Lap Pool
Forese Scooter Pool
Wellness Center (2nd Floor Fitness Center)
Group Exercise Classes
Gymnasium (Open drop-in or programs)
Youth Programs
The Zone
ForeverWell Programs (Senior programs)
Childcare (Full-Day or After-School)
3.Which pool activities do you or your family currently participate in? (Select all that apply)(Required.)
4.The goal of the Board is to understand whether the community would benefit most from an investment in repairing the Valles Pool building, or by replacing the pool with the expanded amenities and programming mentioned below.

How would you prioritize the following?(Required.)
1 (Lowest Priority)
2
3
4
5 (Highest Priority)
Repairing the Valles Pool & Maintaining the Current Aquatics Configuration of Three Pools
Keeping the current aquatics configuration will maintain aquatics teams & activities in their current locations with flexible schedules, offer greater water temperature options, and provide consistent private lane availability for members.
Expanded & Updated Wellness Center:
Increased space and equipment in the main fitness center on the second floor.
New Auxiliary Gymnasium:
Increasing time in the main gymnasium for pickleball, volleyball, & basketball; providing additional recreational programs for kids, teens, adults, and seniors; and allowing access from waitlists for Camp Mini & KU after-school childcare.
New Family Activity Center:
A new destination for families, including a larger home for Bouncing Bears providing more recreational gym programs for broader ages, preschool gym for childcare, & a new playspace for both on-site babysitting & family drop-in time
Relocated & Larger Group Exercise Center:
Additional space and increased capacity for group classes.
New & Relocated Mind Body Center:
Updated center on the second floor for yoga, Pilates, barre, and more.
Adaptive Support Studio:
An accommodating and safe space designed to better support our special needs programs and growing chronic disease initiatives (Cancer survivor program, Parkinson's support, Diabetes prevention, etc).
Multi-Purpose Program Room:
Providing space for non-athletic programs, events, and drop-in activities for all ages (e.g. STEAM, music, art, games, crafts, etc.)
5.Would you support replacing the Valles Pool if it allowed the expanded amenities and programming mentioned above?
(Those swimmers from the Y's swim team who don't already practice in the Forese pool would practice there, according to schedules developed by the coach. The NCHS teams already practice in the Forese Pools and would remain, with no practice schedule adjustments. The HS meets will be held in the Forese Pool, which CIAC has approved. We would not be able to host our diving program on-site, but would work with the coach and divers to find an alternate location for the team).(Required.)
6.What amenities or programs do you feel are currently missing or could be improved at the YMCA?
7.What do you see as our community's biggest needs today & in the future?
8.Please share any additional comments, concerns, or ideas regarding the future use of YMCA space: