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The YMCA of
the Greater Tri-Cities is a non-facility based YMCA, offering a
variety of programs to the community, but not offering traditional
facilities. Our programs use shared community space including area
schools, parks, churches and businesses.
The YMCA's Martin Luther King Jr. Center is a cooperative program between the
City of Pasco, the United Way of Benton-Franklin Counties and the YMCA. A
$10 Annual Membership Fee allows access to the weight room, game room, homework
center, and gymnasium.
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Location
The YMCA is located at 1234 Columbia
Park Trail, right next to Sundown Marine. Travel south on Columbia Center Blvd
to the river. Turn Left on Columbia Park Trail and the YMCA is located on your
right. Alternately take the Columbia Drive exit off highway 240 and travel east
on Columbia Park Trail. The YMCA is located on your left.
Membership*
The YMCA offers a Youth Membership
for a fee of $25 per year. Membership entitles you to savings on programs and
early registration for popular programs. YMCA members save $12 per sport and
register on average one week early. Tell the YMCA Staff Member helping you with
your registration that you would like to buy a membership and start saving
immediately.
Financial Assistance
In an effort to make our fees affordable for
everyone in our community, the YMCA provides financial assistance using a
sliding fee scale based on annual gross household income and family size. The
YMCA makes every effort to ensure that no person will be denied access to
programs because of financial hardship. The YMCA’s Financial Assistance Program
is supported by contributions from individuals and the United Way. Application
forms are available at the YMCA office. The YMCA accepts DSHS subsidies for
State Licensed camp programs.
Brief
History of YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities
Founded in 1956, the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities has been a United Way
participating agency since 1958. Known then as the Tri-Cities Family YMCA and
later as the YMCA of the Lower Columbia Basin, the YMCA operated a facility
including a pool in Richland, WA. However, due in part to the downturn of the
economy in the early 1980’s, the board of trustees then decided to sell the
property and refocus their efforts on running programs within the community.
Renamed the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities in 2000, the YMCA has continued to
remain true to its flexibility and adjusting to meet community needs. In 1991,
with a total operating budget of $273,330 to our current FY02 operating revenue
of $1,013,730, the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities continues to grow rapidly
while maintaining financial stability.
The YMCA serves
more than 6,000 youth in the community through youth sports, child care, and day camp
programs. At the Martin
Luther King Center (MLKC) in Pasco, 3,000 youth and adults participate annually.
Participants take part in activities in the gymnasium, weight and
fitness room, game room, homework center and field trips to professional sports
games, local plays at CBC, fishing trips, car shows, and amusement parks like
Silverwood in Idaho. The YMCA also hosts parties for community participants
at Christmas, Easter and Halloween.
Each year, the YMCA awards
thousands of dollars in financial assistance to youth who cannot afford to pay
the full cost of program fees.
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