Members of the Atmore Area YMCA will be greeted with a welcome sight this morning when they enter the facility that has been closed for the last two weeks.

The YMCA closed on Dec. 23 for renovations, which included new paint and floors in the fitness center and weight room as well as new windows in the halls leading to those rooms.

The renovations were completed last week with the staff taking the time to put equipment back in its place as well as clean the entire building.

The floors were put in to help with the environment of the room as well as create a safer work space, Atmore Area YMCA manager Ross Terry said.

“The new floors in the fitness center and weight room have several benefits over what we had in there a few weeks ago,” he said. “They will keep the room cleaner and help it not have such a smell from sweat and dirt. It also makes the rooms seem less cramped and nicer.”

The work comes just as the New Year will welcome a new member push by the YMCA to bring in members looking to get in shape for themselves or even as a part of a New Years resolution.

The joining fee will be dropped to $1, which is separate from the membership dues.

This offer will help take somewhat of a price crunch off prospective members, Terry said.

“Instead of having to pay a $40 joining fee, they will pay $1 with the dues being $31 for a family and $27 dollars for a single person.”

The renovations and membership push is something that the YMCA is hoping will create some buzz around the organization.

“We want people to come out and give us a chance,” he said. “We have a great staff that will help them with anything possible and it’s a great environment to get in shape or meet new people.”

For more information contact the Atmore Area YMCA at 368-9622.