EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A longtime fitness and community hub in Northeast El Paso is set to welcome members back under new management as the former Bowling Family YMCA reopens as the Carl L. Robinson HEAT Retreat.<\/p>\n
New operators Robert and Sarah Osterland received the keys to the facility May 26.<\/p>\n
Since then, their nonprofit, 915-HEAT, has spent about $70,000 on repairs to bring the building up to code.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve invested a great amount of money into getting everything up to code,\u201d Sarah Osterland said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it’s not just my husband and I, it’s the village, it’s the community. They all came out and did their part.\u201d <\/p>\n
She added, \u201cThey’ve been here 12, 13 hours a day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on Former Bowling Family YMCA to reopen as Carl L. Robinson HEAT Retreat on June 17 (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso City Council OKs lease for nonprofit to run former Bowling Branch facility<\/a><\/p>\n Osterland said the work has been focused on getting the facility ready to reopen. <\/p>\n \u201cThere was a lot of repairs just to get it up to code and get it saved so that we can open the doors to the members and to the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n City officials said in April the facility needs more than $12 million in improvements. <\/p>\n Repairs completed so far include work on the pool, roof and leaks. <\/p>\n Osterland said additional renovations are planned in the months ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re not even in phase one,\u201d Osterland said. <\/p>\n She also noted, \u201cAnd you should see some big renovations in the next six months.\u201d<\/p>\n Employees of the former YMCA were offered positions at the HEAT Retreat.<\/p>\n Staff members said keeping the facility open was important for the Northeast El Paso community.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually was a user of the facility before. I would use the pool and I would come to the Zumba classes and so I knew how important it was, I met a lot of people a lot of seniors and I thought this is wonderful,\u201d said Jill Strickland, an employee.<\/p>\n Darlene Heaton, also an employee, said, \u201cYou know, it’s been kind of a little bit of a home to me.\u201d <\/p>\n She added, \u201cI think that was one of the greatest things that could have happened out here to the Northeast. They’re working so hard to get everything back and they’re trying to keep everything as similar to what it was at the Y.\u201d<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED:YMCA of El Paso to close Bowling Family YMCA branch after lease expires <\/a><\/p>\n Osterland said the HEAT Retreat will offer income-based memberships, scholarships and summer camp programs, and will continue accepting the same insurance plans as the former YMCA.<\/p>\n The grand opening is June 17 and will feature music, activities and free food.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they can get to know myself, my husband, the team, the staff, everybody behind all the work that’s happened these past few weeks,\u201d Osterland said.<\/p>\n Registration is now open, with more information available here<\/a>. <\/p>\n