By By Matthew Nascone
The Atmore Area YMCA is able to offer all of its services once again. With the update of the pecan wood gym floor to an Olympic-style snap in plastic floor, the Y can now have adults play basketball again.
In 2005 the youth basketball league was up and running, but there was no basketball for the adults involved with the Y. Ross Terry, the facilities director and sports programs director, said it is good to get everything back up and running.
"The adult program is back and it is great to offer the adult members of the Y something to do," he said. "We have also changed the league to a 28 and older league to give the older adults a better chance to play."
Terry said the youth program took place last year, but there was a constant worry with the condition of the wood floor.
"We had the youth basketball league, but we were always worrying about the kids falling through the floor," Terry said. "So with the new floor it is a load off our shoulders and we can just worry about the kids having fun now."
The reaction to the new gymnasium has been positive for Terry and the rest of the YMCA staff. Terry said everyone who takes a look at the new floor is happy with how it looks.
"I haven't had any complaints about the floor yet and I think that is because it is a lot better than what we had before," he said.
In the return of the adult league five, possibly six teams will be participating in 2006. Terry said two games will be held every Friday at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Another feature of the new floor is a built-in volleyball system and Terry said the Y is not going to let that go to waste.
"We will be having our adult volleyball league after the basketball is through," he said. "We are trying to offer a lot more to the adults who are members here at the Y."
Terry said the new floor should help with the options available to the adults. The participation of everyone involved with a YMCA program does not go unnoticed.
"I appreciate everyone's participation and if anyone has any concerns they can always talk to me about anything," Terry said.