The Niles-Buchanan YMCA’s membership has increased three-fold since moving to its location on North Front Street five years ago.

Lakeland Rehabilitation Services, which operates out of the same location, has also seen an increase in patients as a result of the move.

Both organizations celebrated their five-year anniversary on North Front Street Monday.

“Business for the Y has been good and business for Lakeland has been good, so we wanted to take the day to thank the community,” said Dawn Frese, manager of Lakeland Rehabilitation Services.

The YMCA has seen its membership grow to about 10,000 members since moving into its 56,000-square-foot facility from its old facility at 315 W. Main St. five years ago.

Lakeland Rehabilitation Services averaged about 75 patients a month while operating out of Belle Plaza in Niles five years ago. Now they average approximately 100 patients a month.

“Having our clinic inside the YMCA has been very convenient and nice for the community,” Frese said.
Lakeland Rehabilitation Services offers physical, occupational and speech therapy to people of all ages.

“A lot of patients come to us with injuries or other medical problems and we believe that being active and able to take part in something the YMCA offers is really a great benefit to them,” Frese said.

As part of the celebration, the YMCA offered free food and tours of the building to non-members. The YMCA also waived its joiner fee for people that joined Monday.

“There has been quite a response today,” said Greg Schuman, YMCA membership and marketing director. “The staff has been giving a lot of tours and there have been more people signing up for new memberships than on a normal day.”

Lakeland Rehabilitation Services raffled off prizes and provided food and drinks for visitors on Monday.