Nearly a year after fire forced its closure, Allentown YMCA Wellness Center reopens

The Allentown YMCA Wellness Center fully reopened this week, one year after a fire caused significant damage.

The Allentown branch suffered a fire June 6 on the roof of its gymnasium on South 15th Street. According to fire officials, the fire was caused by ongoing construction on the roof and was ruled an accident.

Only the Allentown branch child care center and warming station, which is open November through April, have been open for the last 11 months. Its gym and exercise facilities were closed.

The branch held a grand reopening Monday.

“We are so excited to have our members back in the branch,” Jodi Perry, executive director of the Allentown branch, said in a statement. “It brought a tear to my eye to open up for our members after being closed these past 11 months. Our regulars were lined up at the door at 6 this morning, ready to get back to their fitness routines.”

According to a news release, there is no joiner fee for new members of the Allentown Wellness Center. The Allentown branch has a lower monthly membership rate than the other Greater Valley Y branches because only the Wellness Center, which includes fitness machines, weights and exercise classes, is open.

Fire breaks out on roof of Allentown YMCA; building remains closed as damage evaluated