by Beverly Hoffman
TEN YEARS! It is amazing to think that after decades of fundraising for a swimming pool in Bethel ten years have gone by since we celebrated its opening. It was in November of 2014 Senator Lyman Hoffman, then representative Bob Herron and the late Ella Beaver Kinegak cut the ribbon to the YK Fitness Center.
Mark the date as we will have a community celebration on Saturday, November 16 from 2pm to 4pm. Thanks to a generous donation by the VFW Auxiliary Post 10041 and the YK Delta Lifesavers it will be a free swim day for all!
It took support from all the leaders in the community and region. YKHC, ONC, LKSD, AVCP, BCS Foundation and others. Gathered together and encouraged by Mary Peltola they put aside some of their own capital projects to advocate and support funding a Fitness Center with a pool.
Sean Parnell was our Governor. Hoffman and Herron worked with fellow legislators to get support to fund it! It happened! Our leaders now use the facility in their job recruiting efforts.
The impact was huge. Kids immediately were learning how to swim. People were using it for exercise and the work out rooms filled up! The YK Lifesavers created the YK Delta Lifesaver Endowment Fund to make sure everyone had access.
Justin Wintersteen was there from the beginning. “I affectionately call the Fitness Center ‘The Oasis on the Tundra’. Over the past 10 years, the facility has become an important part of my daily life. Life hasn’t always been easy, and the Fitness Center has proven to have therapeutic qualities for me . It’s been instrumental in improving my mood, reducing stress, and increasing social interactions.”
Martha Whitman shared her story. “The facility has made a major impact not only on me but all my boys too.” Martha stated she was looking for an outlet for her nine year old son. It was the pool that hooked him. “He just loves the water and has learned to swim to the deep end.”
For herself she loves the weight room. “I haven’t missed a day since September. Lifting weights helps me cope with everything and has improved everything in my life.”
Charles Herron, wife Maribeth and kids all use the facility. “My whole family uses the pool. We take our family to the pool all the time. My Uncle Lyman and dad Bob Herron helped secure funds for the pool to start building it.”
He stated, “We love the pool. I started getting annual passes in 2021. In October 2022, I started recording laps swam. I swam 60 miles in 2023. Since October 2022 I’ve swam over 100 miles; I’m getting close to recording 4000 laps. We love having a pool in Bethel.”
Another family, Paul and Katie Basile, have used the pool and workout rooms since its opening. “The fitness center has been a huge part of our lives, especially as our kids have grown older and been able to participate in camps and swim lessons. We are grateful that they are growing up loving the water and as strong swimmers.”
For this elder and my fellow elder friends like Kathy Hanson, the weight room and water aerobics classes have helped us stay fit and agile.
Hanson talks about her experience. “The Fitness Center gives us the opportunity to get good exercise all year, especially in the winter when it is hard to get outside. I appreciate the water aerobics class and how it helps me stay active and healthier.”
You can start your own YK Fitness Center journey at any age. Check out the YK Fitness Center Facebook or the web page ykfitness.org. Call the YK Fitness Center Director Stacey Reardon at 907 543-0390. Stop by for a tour and information about memberships and programs.
To help support YK Lifesaver sponsored programs with a donation go to Bethel Community Services Foundation web page at bcsfoundation.org and hit fund to find the YK Delta Lifesavers.
Cheers to more decades of enjoying our “Oasis on the Tundra”.
