EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Northeast El Paso\u2019s longtime community and fitness center is back as the former Bowling Family YMCA reopened as the Carl L. Robinson HEAT Retreat on Wednesday after it was previously set to close. <\/p>\n
“This is a wonderful, amazing opportunity for the Northeast, very much needed. This is a place that’s been around since the 1960s,” El Paso City Rep. Cynthia Boyar Trejo said. This is a place for communication, friendship, and therapy.”<\/p>\n
In April, it was announced that the Bowling Family YMCA, which has operated in the Northeast since 1959, was set to close this spring after the YMCA\u2019s lease with the City of El Paso, which owned the facility, expired. <\/p>\n
The YMCA said it evaluated renewal options but determined that continuing operations at the location was not financially sustainable due to the facility\u2019s condition, location, and associated costs. According to city officials, the facility needed more than $12 million in improvements.<\/p>\n
However, the community center is now welcoming members back under new management, 915-HEAT, a nonprofit organization. <\/p>\n
“Of course, we have the returning old members, but we have new members that are saying…They’re just excited, they’re happy, and we’re just so happy that we’re able to provide that for this community and expand on services that were previously offered at this facility,” Sarah Osterland, Co-Owner of Carl L. Robinson HEAT Retreat, said. <\/p>\n
The reopening comes a month after the El Paso City Council approved 915-HEAT’s lease agreement to keep the facility operating. <\/p>\n
The agreement included a five-year initial term with two optional one-year renewals. Under the lease, the nonprofit will pay $12,000 a year, compared with an estimated market rental value of about $448,000 annually, city officials said.<\/p>\n
New operators Robert and Sarah Osterland received the keys to the facility on May 26 and have spent about $70,000 on repairs to bring the building up to code.<\/p>\n
Previously speaking to KFOX14\/CBS4, Sarah Osterland said the work has been focused on getting the facility ready to reopen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were 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 Osterland said. <\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Osterland gave an update on the repairs, stating that the work completed so far includes the pool, roof, and leak repairs.<\/p>\n
Osterland said additional renovations are planned in the months ahead.<\/p>\n
The facility will continue to offer youth sports programs, summer camps, athlete development, aquatics, and other activities for older adults. <\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Former Bowling Family YMCA to reopen as Carl L. Robinson HEAT Retreat on June 17<\/a><\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: YMCA of El Paso to close Bowling Family YMCA branch after lease expires<\/a><\/p>\n