New YMCA Director Passionate About Community

In June of this year, Garver Memorial YMCA in Roaring Spring welcomed Roaring Spring native Lisa Bollinger as its new director. Bollinger has worked at the YMCA for 13 years and is already thriving in her new role.

After attending Central High School and graduating from Penn State, Bollinger worked at NPC and Trinity United Methodist Preschool before joining the team at Garver as a preschool teacher in 2010. During the past 13 years, she has grown to cherish the "family" atmosphere at the YMCA. She smiled while recalling the many patrons whom she's gotten to know well during her time there.

"[The YMCA] is kind of a staple of the community," she said, adding that in this role, she hopes to improve it and keep it around and thriving for years to come.

Bollinger currently resides just a couple of miles from the YMCA and has four children who have attended or are currently attending the Spring Cove School District, so the Roaring Spring community and its flourishing are close to her heart.

The YMCA facility offers numerous programs for patrons of all ages, and has both day passes and annual memberships available. Currently, Garver boasts more than 800 regular members and even more patrons involved in its programs. Some of the most popular programs include gymnastics and winter elementary basketball leagues for younger patrons and pickleball and Silver Sneakers for older patrons.

The YMCA has also partnered with a second location, B4 Club Therapy, to provide numerous types of therapy at discounted rates to members.

Facility Improvements

Bollinger has overseen several recent improvements to the facility and hopes to continue more improvements in order to keep serving the community well. Two years ago, she received a grant for Garver's preschool program and redid the preschool rooms. Updates included new lighting, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, numerous new supplies, and enhanced security.

Garver also recently received a generous donation from NPC to upgrade the facility's lighting and install a new scoreboard.

The 2024 capital campaign, which is currently accepting donations, hopes to raise $200,000 to continue facility improvements. According to the campaign information, it hopes to "transform the Garver YMCA into a premier location that our community will benefit from for years to come."

Some anticipated projects include new outdoor pickleball courts, renovation of basketball court, tennis courts, and weight room, new flooring and paint throughout the building, and a new roof.

Interested persons and businesses can contact Bollinger at 224-5101 for more information on the campaign and donations.

Bollinger said she'd personally love to see the return of summer day camp, which provided a safe, fun space for kids who otherwise didn't have a place to go when school wasn't in session. Amidst the COVID pandemic, the program simmered down due to fear of too much exposure. However, she is hopeful it could return.

Although current space is limited, in the distant future, she discussed the possibility of an expansion of facilities to include a pool if there were enough space available.

"We'd like to see what the community wants and where we want to take it," Bollinger said.