The Page Mill Road YMCA in Palo Alto is closing this fall when its 10-year lease is up, Chief Operations Officer Elizabeth Jordan of the YMCA of Silicon Valley said Tuesday.
Oct. 1 will be the last day for members to use the gym, take group exercise classes and patronize community programs at the 755 Page Mill Road facility, which has leased a basement in the Palo Alto Square complex — at El Camino Real and Page Mill — since 1979.
Jordan told the Weekly Tuesday that the decision to close was made in part due to the facility’s physical constraints; the underground building cannot be built out, up or down in order to expand or allow for natural light, something members have asked for, she said.
“After some careful consideration, we decided it would be best to put our resources into our other facilities and programming in Palo Alto that would better serve the community,” Jordan said.
Starting July 1 and until Oct. 1, members of the Page Mill outpost will have free access to all of the YMCA’s 30 Bay Area locations in addition to their current membership, Jordan said. After Page Mill closes, from Oct. 2 through Dec. 31, members can continue to patronize any Bay Area YMCA for free. In January, the organization will ask members to select a “home branch” they would like to join and can do so without paying the standard joining fee.
Jordan estimated the Page Mill branch serves about 3,000 people.
It employs five people full time and about 40 part time, though 30 of the part-timers only work about two to three hours per week teaching one or two exercise classes, she said.
Eric Lederhaus, an orthopedic physical therapist who has worked a couple nights a week at the Page Mill YMCA for about a year, said the announcement was “a little bit” of a shock for staff. But the decision was made in order to benefit the community, he added.
Lederhaus and the other employees will be relocated to other YMCA facilities in similar positions, if they’d like, Jordan said.
“We’re already speaking with each (employee) to find out their interest, their geographical preference and consider other close opportunities if they wish to try something new, or if they wish to stay in same positions they’ll be relocated to one of our other branches,” Jordan said.
When Lederhaus was asked if he would transfer to another YMCA to continue as a physical therapist, he said he might but that he “has other options, too.”
A man leaving the Y on Tuesday afternoon who did not want to give his name said of the closure, “I just think it’s unfortunate.”
He’s been a member for seven or eight years, he said.
Jordan said the closure has nothing to do with rising rents.
“In fact, our landlord has been wonderful to the YMCA since the inception of the Page Mill branch in 1979,” she said. “He has not only been a supporter of the Y but he also has largely looked for other ways he could facilitate the YMCA serving the community. In many ways, it’s going to be very sad to part ways with him in this particular relationship.”
Jordan also said Page Mill’s closure will have the effect of expanding offerings at nearby locations, such as the El Camino YMCA in Mountain View, which starting Sept. 1 will open at 4:30 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The Page Mill location is currently open 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Other programs offered at the Page Mill YMCA, such as diabetes prevention and an adult cancer-survivor program, will be transitioned to the Palo Alto Family YMCA on Ross Road and other branches, Jordan said.
“I think it’s just really important that people know we are making this decision based on our ability to do more for the community,” Jordan said. “It’s a strategic move that was prompted by the ability to make a change effective the end of our lease.
“We certainly could stay at the facility, but we’re choosing to do something a little different because we feel as a not-for-profit, our (goal) is to be constantly looking for ways we can serve more and better in any community. That’s really our objective.”
Why not extend the hours at the Ross Road Y? IF they opened earlier/closed later, that would be great!
The Ross Road Y is in the middle of a neighborhood, they are not allowed to open earlier or close later.
Anon from Barron Park,
The extended hours at Page Mill YMCA is one of the multitudes of unique benefits that will be unavailable when (or if?) PM closes.
Ask the right people the right questions, and perhaps PM may not only stay open, but also flourish. Mark Zuckerberg, for example, donated $120 Million of his 26.5 Billion net worth to Bay Area schools.
The YMCA has consistently cared for, served, and educated communities around the world for 170 years. It’s human nature at times to oversee sources of volunteerism and service when they have been constant for so long in our lives and neighborhoods.
Mark is only one person. If just a few more people in the area seriously considered keeping PM open, it would only be a drop of water from their large buckets; but a watershed for the thousands of people served by the gym and its dedicated staff.
Don’t underestimate the power of one (you). Definitely don’t underestimate what effective communication can accomplish in the PM community.
The Y has surprised us for 170 years. Maybe it’s time for us to surprised the Y!!!
When you have a good thing going… keep it going 🙂
As very long members at the Page Mill Y, my family will be very sorry to see it close. I checked prices at Equinox. Yikes! Can’t afford that.
Brian at Evergreen Park,
I have memberships both at Page Mill YMCA and Equinox. I nearly always workout at Page Mill because:
1) Equinox doesn’t have a sauna
2) Equinox doesn’t have a jacuzzi
3) PM’s running machines go 7 MPH faster than the Equinox’s machines
4) PM’s special culture
Last but not least, PM provides me a family. Everyone knows what I’m working on, striving to improve, what my family members are doing, what I’m eating or not eating…
PM is great because if you want to focus 100% on athleticism, you can. But look at its layout: there are many areas to socialize. Great complimentary coffee and tea bar too.
How many gyms in the world has members that know each other by voice? There’s a familiarity there I haven’t seen anywhere. With our Bay Area Membership, I do visit other gyms now and then. But I gotta say it: There’s something special about us cave dwellers! 🙂
If it’s true that:
“We certainly could stay at the facility, but we’re choosing to do something a little different because we feel as a not-for-profit, our (goal) is to be constantly looking for ways we can serve more and better in any community. That’s really our objective.”
You really should continue to be keep the Page Mill Y open. It is a gym like no other and as a member of many years, I don’t know of any members who complain about the natural light. The Page Mill Y is a community like no other. I know. I am a current member AND was a member when it opened in 1979. This is a tragedy for the community. No other Y or gym in the area is anything like it.
I attend the PM Y 5 days per week. It is a vital part of my health life style. The PM Y is a unique experience with a real community feel where everyone knows my name. The conversation is aways interesting and the members are a highly intelligent group. It is definitely not a place to be “seen” but to instead participate in the original YMCA community experience. I have never heard anyone complain about the lack of sunlight. If is it possible to remain at the current PM site, why don’t we? Please ask the members what they think before making a decision to close the site. The PM Y members are a loyal and financially supportive group. I’m certain the we can put our heads together and keep the PM site open. A general membership meeting should be called asap to plan how to convince the Board of Directors to keep PM open.
Dear 35 Years and TownSquare, It’s really wonderful to read your comments: “It is a gym like no other”; “Please ask the members what they think before making a decision to close the site.” I wholeheartedly agree with you… And I know there’s thousands more that agree too!
Adding to TownSquare – It’s true: we are a group of practical thinkers, medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, financial experts… I saw a politician who was traveling use our Y and was on CNBC a few days later. Students, parents… look at all the brainpower, financial strength, and passion we have.
We can keep Page Mill Open!
18 year member. Will sorely miss the convenience of this “y” which cannot be replaced by going to Ross Road or E.P.A. “Y’s” I hope they can figure a way to keep it going.
I’m wondering if the YMCA has thought of the parking issues that will be caused when the estimated 3000 Page Mill members are assimilated into the PA Family Y on Ross, the East PA Y, or the El Camino Y. I know for a fact that the parking at both PA Family and El Camino Ys is impossible now. What happens with 3000 more members spread around? Why didn’t anyone talk with the members?
I will miss the specialized programs at the Page Mill Y. My transportation options are limited, which will limit when & where I use other Y’s.
I’m hoping that EPA Y will inherit the mats at Page Mill Y. EPA mats leave a lot to be desired and they are only three of them.
I also lament the PM closure.
I wish the YMCA would be more forthcoming about the real reason they are closing Page Mill. Their COO said “I think it’s just really important that people know we are making this decision based on our ability to do more for the community,”
That doesn’t make sense. PM members will be hurt badly, and the other nearby YMCAs, which are already packed, will become even more crowded.
Hi Tony, What were your favorite things about Page Mill during your 18 years there?
3,000… Remember the movie “300” ? If we stand our ground like those guys, we’ll keep Page Mill and have Abs like them!
Margaret, Thank you so much for sharing your feelings. I hope the “decision makers” will read it.
Williams: I’m hoping PM Y stays open and keeps their mats. AND that EPA will get more also.
Rogue Trader, Let’s buy options on PMY. I think that stock is a good long term trade.
June July August September
I see people
I see ideas
I see influence
Organize. Find your leaders. Be the change. Make the change.
Page Mill is worth handing to the next generation in our community and families.
I cancelled my membership there when I saw a YMCA map on the wall. It was a world map by YMCA. It didn’t show Israel. It was wiped off the map, it’s land assumed by its neighbors. There was a minor controversy in the papers about the map but no apology by the Y. So I cancelled my membership.
This is very disheartening. PM may have a few warts but it is a special place, and will be sorely missed. Ross Road Y is the next closest for my wife and I but not nearly as convenient and way too crowded. Perhaps we can band together and influence the Y mgmt to reverse this awful decision…
Dear Cancelled my membership,
“Wondering” responded to you before. Your comment along “wondering”s and few others disappeared, completly.
“Wondering” wrote:
”
YMCA Three Arches Hotel (Jerusalem):
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/israel-and-the-palestinian-territories/jerusalem/hotels/ymca-three-arches-hotel
As a centre for learning, sport and culture, this YMCA is an important local landmark and a great place to spend a few nights. The hotel’s 56 rooms are simply furnished; you’re paying more for the atmosphere than the quality of rooms. You are also paying for the location in highbrow Mamilla; the hotel is directly opposite the prestigious King David Hotel. The Y has an excellent restaurant and use of gym and pool is included in the price.
—
Does this qualify as a Y in Israel?
”
I hope you see this before it disappears. Even I cannot understand how quoting and appropriately citing Lonely Planet’s web site violates the terms of use. While these comments may be off topic, I noticed threads that went totally off the topic track and remained intact.
Let me take this opportunity to commend, again, the Queen or King of this virtual world. Even I could not foresee the “New World” censoring this way.
What a nice way to promote my books, especially on my B-day.
Much obliged.
The YCMA informed members of the closure this morning. It is sad that they decided to close the place. The staff was always very friendly and helpful. From talking with some of the other members, people are deciding whether they even want to go to the other YMCA sites or join other gyms. I hope they reconsider, but unfortunately it doesn’t look that way.
Our Y is usually very busy with little space for more members. This is true in the parking lot, the locker rooms, the classes and the cardio gym. A large influx of people transferring will be unfair on us as well as those being displaced. I can’t help feeling that we are not being told the truth here.
The Silicon Valley YMCA office number is 408-351-6400. Please call them to ask for a public meeting for the PM Y members to discuss the Board’s discussion to close the PM Y. The last SVYMCA meeting was 2 weeks ago and they did not inform the PM Y members of their plans to discuss the closure of OUR YMCA. Our input needs to be heard.
Just called the number above (Silicon Valley YMCA) and I was referred to a woman named Elizabeth Jordan, who (I’m told) is overseeing the PM YMCA closure. Elizabeth’s direct office number is 408.351.6446 and her cell is 650.269.1256. I left a message on the office number requesting a meeting with Page Mill Y members. Told her that if I didn’t hear from her by end-of-day, I’d try her on her cell. Would likely help for more PM folks to do the same.
The East Palo Alto Y has plenty of room to grow! Check it out if you’re looking for a state of the art facility.
I have been a member (off & on) of the Page Mill Square YMCA since I was a young 32 years old and am now a 67 year old senior. My sister and I go together every M-W-F to walk the treadmills and do weight work. My first choice would be for the YMCA to reconsider and keep it open, my second choice would be for the owner of the space to re-lease it to an organization who would keep it open as a gym. Would love to attend a members meeting about future possibilities.
That place keeps a lot of Gunn kids out of trouble and off the tracks. Too bad the YMCA of Silicon Valley is not listening to the developmental assets surveys. Seems like they are not the community member they claim to be.
I’ve been a member for about 10 years and I really don’t understand why they are closing. They have a very sympathetic landlord. They could have stayed there forever, the members love the location, they have many loyal members. Many seniors who don’t drive find the location extremely easy to get to and from. This doesn’t make any sense.
Thank you, Pattie, for making the phone call and passing on the direct number for Elizabeth Jordan.
My feelings were perfectly noted by TownSquare3. This is a whole community that is being disbanded. Life-long friendships were made. This is a special place. It is unlike any other gym that I have used. The PEOPLE are what is important. Please call Elizabeth and give input and request a meeting.
You are making such a mistake and don’t even have the excuse of rents going higher. I, along with many people, come, because we can walk or use our bikes since we don’t have a car. Aren’t you forgetting your mission to focus on non-affluent people?
The facility has no “physical constraints”. Why would any member wish to to look at the parking lot or the traffic on Page Mill or El Camino while working out? This sounds like a very lame and unsatisfactory excuse. I don’t know one member who ever complained about the facility being dow stairs, we actually like it that way.
This is my preferred location. I love that it is underground, the atmosphere is appealing to me. There are a lot of older folk, and I find it easier to work out around them. My sympathy goes out to the older folk, because I feel like they definitely have a communal bond with each other at this location. It would be a shame if they close the Page Mill YMCA, because the experience there is unique. The staff are all very attentive, well mannered, and easy to converse with, and I don’t think it would be fair to take such a staple facility from the Palo Altan people as well as the people that congregate there from other cities. If there was to be a replacement, where would it be?
I despise the Ross Rd. YMCA, it is extremely family oriented, no room to work out/ limited equipment, and I hate the next step up of “can” ladies (can collectors in SF) who like to loiter in the lobby drinking coffee, with apathetic personalities.
The Ross Road Family YMCA is at capacity and feels VERY crowded, even before Page Mill members join in. Does the CPA impose a limit on membership, surely the usage is restricted. No street parking is allowed.
Wonder if another fitness center will open at the Page Mill facility?
Hope the Page Mill Y leadership is reading these posts. Please consider your constituency and not close this location. You have no idea of the impact of such a decision on those you serve. Please reconsider this decision.
I have been a member of the Page Mill and Ross Road Y’s for many years. While I’ve enjoyed the Page Mill Y mostly during the evenings, the facility is very small and has extremely limited services. The Ross Road Y is one of the finest Y facilities anywhere and has a potpourri of offerings to the community. I can’t imagine the Ross Road Y getting any better.
Oh change….The EPA y is so much better than PM… PM y what a dump 🙂 I just hope they get the big Towels from page Mill and take them over to East Palo Alto YMCA. Ross Road is a total mess, Chaotic weight room, screaming kids/overcrowded pool and I would never recommend Ross to anyone but JCC is great.Also I’m really surprised their closing considering the strong racquetball community that have been playing racquetball for 30 years together.
Having played racquetball at the Page Mill YMCA for some time I can say that this is really disheartening news. Racquetball courts are becoming harder to come by in the area and the Page Mill Y has a great community of both old and young players, normally filling all three courts 5 days a week. It’s a following you don’t normally see, and it would be a shame for the players to have to either give the sport up, or take on long commutes to play the sport they love. There must be something that can be done.
Just found out the real reason why P.M.Y. is closing. The E.P.A facility is not producing the numbers that management thought it would and by closing P.M.Y they hope that E.P.A. will get the bulk of P.M.Y members to justify the millions they spent on it.
The YMCA has become so Corporate ever since it became Silicon Valley YMCA. So sad! The PM Y has a fabulous group of members for whom this is ‘home’. Ross Rd Y has similarly made changes without considering members interests and feelings, (they just do what Corporate wants them to do). Ross Road is already noisy and over crowded – but somehow they are asking for more members to reach their financial goals.
Can anyone take over the PM facility and make a go of it? And/or why can’t the YMCA meet the needs of the local group who love its facility and continue to provide services to a local community who don’t want to drive across town? (And shouldn’t be driving across town if we pay attention to the impact of driving on our community.)
So the reason for closing the facility was not, as we all surmised, due to the facility’s “physical constrains”. As I suspected, it was due to the fact that the E.P.A.Y which cost millions to develop was failing to attract sufficient membership and they need as many P.M.Y. members to switch to that facility. I predict that their gamble will fail. My entire family will switch to the JCC, as will every other member I know with whom I communicated with since the news broke out out.
It is cruel to break up such a wonderful community in order to help out another facility.
In the know: How do you know? Doesn’t seem logical. Seems to me, if EPA Y is not attracting enough people, trying to force people from the Page Mill Y to switch is a move doomed to failure. People who don’t go to the EPA site do so probably because it isn’t convenient.
Shocked and saddened to hear this! We belong to all local Y’s and primarily use Page Mill because it is special. My husband loves the raquetball community and I love the people I have met through classes. Some of the group classes have begun to hold dinners together every other month and exercissers have become friends. This is a small intimate facility. While I go to Ross Rd. occasionally for particular classes it never feels like home like Page Mill does.
I hope they will reconsider their decision.
Ross and Mountain View can’t accommodate even a portion of the Page Mill facility. The E.P.A facility has scant membership, as anyone who has ever visited it knows, and is not profitable. I actually met at the Page Mill gym a number of EPA residents who refuse to use it and use the Page Mill facility instead. This is clearly an attempt to lure Page Mill members to the EPA facility. This afternoon my entire family signed up for the JCC and dropped the Y membership. I know there will be many others who will do the same. I believe that the board of directors will regret the decision to close this wonderful facility.
About hot tub and Jacuzzi: Why is there none at JCC? Not oversight nor stupid design. Head of aquatics at Grant Rd.(which removed men’s tub during their remodel) told me the liability insurer will not cover remodels or new construction that include hot tub; 75% of drownings and near drownings occur in the unsupervised tubs. I can return to JCC for extra $75 per month, great facility, no “poor man’s massage.”
Staff at Page Mill Y:
The Page Mill facility is very convenient for those of us who work or live in Midtown. There are several of us who easily get to this facility in a few minutes of driving or bike riding. When I have gone to the Ross road facility, out of necessity when Page Mill was closed for repairs, I found Ross Road to be loud, impersonal, cramped and overrun with kids of all ages, to say nothing of the limited early morning or evening hours.. One of the many pleasures of Page Mill, has been the adult quiet atmosphere that is conducive to decompression and relaxation. I, and I suspect many others, will give serious thought to switching to the JCC if you do not this reverse poorly thought out decision of closing a community treasure.
Sad Page Mill member
I first joined PM Y in 1982. over the years I’ve been a member of grant road y and Ross road, but have returned to PM and am so happy with it. Such a different atmosphere. It’s more like a club. I will print this thread and send it to ??? who is higher than this Jordan person. I an so tired of places I love going away.
My husband and I have been members for over 10 years and are VERY disappointed at the decision to close Page Mill. If the reason, as stated, is because members want natural lighting and the rent is not an issue – this is a feeble excuse for closure. Three thousand members is a significant membership and I am disappointed that this issue was not brought to us before this decision was made. None of the existing Ys will be as convenient in location and hours as the Page Mill facility. I ask the Board to reconsider their decision and to reverse it. We need and want the Page Mill Y to remain open.
Reading the comments above, it seems apparent that there are a large number of members who are very unhappy with this decision. As a member of a group of about 3 dozen racquetball players who play 3-5 times a week, I suspect that many of us will be forced to leave the Y and move to another club much further away. The Page Mill Y is one of the few facilities within a 20-mile radius of Palo Alto that still has racquetball courts.
It also seems clear that members of the Ross Road Y will be inconvenienced by a sudden influx of members from Page Mill.
Of greatest concern is the lack of any communication with members of Page Mill and other facilities BEFORE this decision was made. Is it really too late to reconsider this decision, or at least schedule a meeting to obtain feedback and gauge the effect that this decision will have on the members of the Page Mill and Ross Road locations?
I will also contact Elizabeth Jordan ASAP to see if such a meeting can be arranged, and whether there remains any hope that the Y will reconsider this decision. I encourage others to do the same. Per the post above, she can be reached at her office (408-351-6446) or her mobile (650-269-1256). I will also try to obtain her email address so that the entire Y membership (at least from the Page Mill and Ross Road locations) can more easily be included in this conversation.
Let’s not give up so easily.
The Page Mill YMCA is a public benefit for all residents of this area. Let your City Council members know of the decision to close it. Also let them know of the traffic and parking nightmare which will be created if 3,000 current members transfer to the Ross Road YMCA.If only the Y Board had been transparent with its members,this decision of closure would have been avoided. Let them know how much we have supported their causes over the last 35 years. This is OUR Page Mill YMCA!
Good riddance – I am so glad they are closing. I was a member of the Page Mill YMCA for years, but I left in frustration after the misogyny and harassment got to be too much. They would let violent/mentally unstable homeless men shower and work out there, but did absolutely nothing to keep female members safe from these individuals. This resulted in multiple instances of verbal/physical assault by at least one creeper in particular. Complaints to management were completely ignored. They should have been shut down a long time ago.
I want to add my voice to the number that are frustrated. If the Page Mill YMCA was financially viable, Y close?
We built a community of RBallers and Handballers that many in the Y administration don’t appreciate. The Bay Area Senior Games are held I in those facilities. It has a building reputation as the home club to RBallers & Handballers competiting in tournaments at a very high level.
There aren’t these facilities at other nearby YMCAs. Our only choice is to take our communities elsewhere.
Again, given the popular classes, rballers, and flood of exercisers, is there another entity who can take the space over? Can the community do it?
y not?
I concur with the majority of sentiment on this forum. I’ve found the Page Mill Y fabulous over the years in service and amenities which cannot be replaced by the other facilities.
We raise tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships at the other facilities why can’t we raise enough money to keep our Y going as well?
There are so many older adults who rely on this YMCA. There are few options for this age group and its sad the “y” does not value this population. In addition this group donates to all the charity events sponsored for other Y’s.
The food drives, xmas gifts and back to school backpacks are overflowing at this Y every year.
One of the best features about this Y is the ease of parking/ biking/walking from many areas. Its a great location. I hope someone will take over this fantastic location and keep a fitness center. Encourage the center to be kind with the rent as this gains the community’s respects and support if the center ever seeks increased development.
I was at the “y’ today and the “y’” is not even posting a sign about the closure. Several people do not look at PAonline and do not check their “y” email. This closure is unknown to many guest/members at the Y. One member is trying to create a website and make list for a petition. However the “Y’ would not permit the petition info to be posted.
I am not a member of PM YMCA. I wanted to say I am sorry to hear this news. Physical exercise in a social environment is so very important for people of all ages. Beyond the obvious benefits of keeping your body healthy, these activities are beneficial to good mental health as well.
If true, trying to force members to go to the EPA YMCA seems a bit unrealistic. I’m sure the new facility is wonderful. But the thought of convincing local members to drive all the way across town (and then some) is not exactly a easy or relatively quick commute. There must be more to the story than this reason/theory.
I thought that the community space for the Y at Page Mill was part of the PC zoning that this site received. You can be sure that if this non-profit space is liberated, there will be yet more offices crammed in with more peak hour traffic, etc. etc. Someone should check the original zoning.
If you want extended hours try 24-Hour Fitness. There are two in the San Antonio Shopping Center.
Cannot understand why my earlier post was removed. That Y was a haven for kids who wanted to do something productive without adult supervision or too much structure. It did keep them out of trouble and happier than they would have been without the option to workout there. The board of the greater y organization obviously did not know that or ignored it when making their decision.
In the article Ms. Jordan is quoted as follows:
“I think it’s just really important that people know we are making this decision based on our ability to do more for the community.”
What is it that Jordan wants to do “in the community” that she can’t do now?
Why does she need to destroy a functional and happy community?
I have never heard a complaint about the lack of natural light, nor about a lack of space. The annual surveys sent to members allow comments, and it is possible that someone could have written that he didn’t like being in a basement, and Jordan grabbed that and ran with it. But someone who wants natural light and more space should have joined another gym. The rest of us joined the facility AS IT IS and built our community.
Like Former Member – I am also so glad they are closing. I was a member of the Page Mill YMCA for years, but I left in frustration after the misandry and harassment got to be too much. They would let violent/mentally unstable nuerotic women shower and work out there, but did absolutely nothing to keep male members safe from these individuals. This resulted in multiple instances of verbal/physical assault by at least one Skank in particular. Complaints to management were completely ignored. They should have been shut down a long time ago.
The East Palo Alto YMCA is very good, has an excellent outdoor pool and is not crowded. I have been very pleased since I joined in 2009.
I wish the local newspapers were getting more info to the public. Seems like news reporters cared more about Happy Donuts “almost” closing.
Does anyone think a large corp. made a donation to YMCA so “ex. Nest/Google” can take over the space and have a gym for their employees. Helped influence the YMCA to leave an amazing, successful location.
The more I read, hear, and think about this, it appears that the proposed closure of the Page Mill Y has little or nothing to do with the Page Mill facility, and lots to do with the EPA YMCA. The EPA Y is a beautiful and modern, yet under-utilized facility. Somehow the SV YMCA Board is naive enough to think that all the Page Mill members will be delighted to drive 5 miles, often in the teeth of traffic, to a “nicer” facility with “natural” light. Shame that they don’t understand that “community” can and does exist at the Page Mill Y, and has for 35 years. It ain’t all about shiny and new.
We should all call the Silicon Valley Association office and explain to them the importance of this particular YMCA. Cal 408-351-6400 and ask to speak to the manager. Maybe we can still save this important community YMCA!
If the YMCA board gambled that after closing Page Mill the majority of members would just switch to the EPA “Y”, they have made a terrible mistake. I already know of quite a few of members who are in the process of doing what my household has done:we cancelled our YMCA membership, signed up for the JCC fitness center, we will not donate any more money to the YMCA, nor will we participate in their food drives anymore. I predict that they will lose the vast majority of the 3000 members the Page Mill “Y” has.
What a big mistake to close Page Mill. It is so different from Ross Road YMCA. I have worked out at both places and Page Mill has a real “club feel”. Members know each other, get together outside of their classes,and are very friendly and welcoming. Classes are not overcrowded or cramped! The Ross Road facility is overcrowded in many of the popular body pump classes and yoga classes. The remodel was poorly done, putting the Kid’s Club into a small, dark corner with not enough space to move. My children refuse to go there! The yoga partition/room is extremely noisy and not the right environment to do yoga and relax the mind. The new fitness/workout space looks cramped and overcrowded too.
It is obvious from the comments that this is the wrong decision. Don’t administrators making this decision take into account the obvious———Y Members don’t want this facility to close!! Don’t make Ross Road into an even more problematic place to work out.
Elizabeth Jordan, is overseeing the PM YMCA closure. Elizabeth’s direct office number is 408.351.6446 and her cell is 650.269.1256. Elizabeth mentioned a public meeting next week at the EPA YMCA to discuss the “reasons” for closing the PM YMCA but so far there are no other details available.
Catching up on these comments, and wondering about the possible meeting mentioned by TownSquare3, I just spoke with Elizabeth Jordan again. Paraphrasing: she tells me that there doesn’t seem to be much point for a meeting, as the situation (closure of Page Mill) is: “irreversible.” I tell her that there was a time in my life where I could organize 3000 angry people, but that time is not right now. I did tell her that she’s got a big problem on her hands, and that I did know enough to know that this problem won’t be going away anytime soon.
I have to agree that Ross Road seemed very unfriendly to me when I first joined, but I have made it a point to get to know the staff and some of the regulars. I think that more could be done to make the place friendlier though.
On a more serious side, I think that the Ross Road members should be made aware of this situation and we should also be protesting somehow as we don’t want a huge influx of members to share our often cramped facilities. This is not meant to be an unfriendly comment or to be taken an unwelcoming, but the reality is that we don’t have enough space in a facility that is situated in a residential area to grow, expand or increase membership.
I think it is a good idea for the PM members to get organized. Set up a Facebook page, online petitions and flood the PM Y with letters, phone calls, flyers, and anything else. If the Y official won’t have a meeting, then plan one yourselves in the foyer. Get the local tv stations involved. Do what you have to do.
In a situation where people keeping a healthy lifestyle is a goal for everyone, the neighborhood gym is a part of the solution. Closing a gym and expecting members to drive across town outside their own neighborhood is a step backwards. Getting the news about this to health gurus might help also.
Dear Anon, Steph, One, Brian, CD, 35, TS3, Thank You, Tony, 3000, Margaret, Taft, Rogue, Out, Member,RRY, Pat, Shawna, Sylvia, Boscoli, 25, User, Wolf, Carl, De, Rball, Y, Julie, Dennis, Sad, Chris, Ken, Dave, Dad, Em, Four, Mark, PM, RD, ROSS ROAD MEMBER:
I have been reading your comments and decided to post in response to Ross Road Member.
There are really two outcomes:
Oucome #1:
Like RRM suggested, PM members need “to get organized.” YMCA and Page Mill supported us for over 3 decades because the organization believed in us as individuals. The Y believed in our daily wellness and also in our potential to improve our lives and those of others. The Y believed in our power.
I feel this “individual power” is being lost on us. We have forgotten or do not realize that we could organize and change the October 1 2014 outcome.
RRM had great ideas to get us started. If one idea or attempt fails, then try another, and another, and…
All our effort and intention will keep PM open. I believe that.
But posting here is only one of the first steps. We have a few more to go in order to reach our goal – just… a few more. No one is asking us to run a marathon here. Everything RRM suggested are ideas that only take a few minutes of our time. It is an opportunity to see our true spirit and capability.
Ouctome #2:
This online page will continue to collect members lamenting the PM closure until PA online “closes off” more comments. Several whole months will pass and finally on October 1 2014, Page Mill YMCA will be “no more.”
We will be dispersed to other gyms where we will make new friends, relationships, and habits. Some of us won’t be able to afford membership and will find other alternatives like taking walks outside or watching more TV.
We will try our best to be grateful for the 35 years PM gave us.
——
It’s true – and I agree – that we should have been given a chance to communicate our thoughts, feelings, and ideas before the decision to close PM. However, this isn’t a decision where PM will close at the end of July. We have been given plenty of time to create a different outcome. Every day we do not organize; every day we do not take the simple actions RRM suggested – we are nearing the Oct 1 deadline.
Organize. Take Action. Try everything. Don’t give up. Stop wasting time.
You are powerful. Together, we can make a change.
It would take me 30 minutes each way to get to EPA. And Ross Rd. isn’t a good alternative, as it’s so crowded already. I may have to rejoin the JCC, where I went before it became Terman. PA is very spread out, and it doesn’t make sense to close the most central facility.
The way this is being done seems so underhanded and unlike the spirit of the Y. I suspected before reading all these letters that it’s an attempt to steer members to the EPA branch. That’s mostly not going to happen, judging from what I read here. Even more chilling is the suspicion that Some Big Corporation wants to take the gym over for their employees.
C’mon, folks, this isn’t Ukraine or Iran! Let’s have a public meeting, and get the media involved!
If you want low cost, extended hours, and great equipment, join 24-hr Fitness. I dumped the Ross Rd YMCA for this place after they raised the rates and removed equipment once too often for my liking. I also got tired of wasting time circling the parking lot hoping to find a space. No parking problems at 24-hr Fitness, and it is so big, it is rarely crowded ( no wait for showers, either).
I have to agree that it is very sad this decision was made without talking to the many loyal members of this location. 3,000 people is nothing small to dismiss. I myself was about to join this gym last week but was told I could not because of this closure. This was a huge frustration to me since the Menlo Park/ Palo Alto area is host to many gyms but all are super expensive and too focused on being seen at a gym. I specifically loved the Page Mill YMCA because when I visited all the people there were so obviously not there to be seen, but to focus on their goals in a peaceful and non-competitive environment. Now I am forced to join the Palo Alto family YMCA which is a lot further away for me. Page Mill really does fill a need where it is, and having worked in a corporate environment I don’t buy that load of crap they are spouting about closing it to add programs to other centers. There is some disconnect there. I really hope there are enough people that complain that the YMCA changes their mind and keeps the Page Mill location open so I can join!!
The Page Mill YMCA members were told the the site is closing after 35 years not because of rental costs but because is does not fit the new Y’s mission which is family driven. This smacks of ageism. The Page Mill Y members are the oldest of any of the Ys, give the most money, need the least amount of subsidy from the Board, and give the most to donation drives. If the Y’s mission in to serve the community why would they close down such a successful branch where adults come to seriously workout. Following the Board decision-making process, we were wrong when we thought that adults were part of the Y community.
COO Elizabeth Jordan presents a position at the end of this article straight out of DOD.
The Y is going to do more for us by closing down.
They could stay but their objective is to serve more and better.
This, and the quote in The Post about an ‘adult gym’ are so patronizing as to create the impression that no cost/benefit analysis exists to back up what seems like an overtly political and economic decision.
I am a member and heard nothing about this until I returned from vacation this week. The impression given is one of poor planning and even worse communication. What does the national YMCA hold as its objectives and values ?
The entire trajectory of this move so far calls into question many of its stated goals.
I use the gym to exercise and meet friends.
It’s a valuable part of my day, six days a week.
I’ll miss it dearly if it’s taken away.
I hope that the YMCA reconsiders its hasty action.
Thank you
If Emily Renzel is right, and the community space for the Y at Page Mill was part of the PC zoning that this site received, there’s two issues with CIty zoning that this closure affects. If I remember correctly, the impact on the neighborhood by the Ross Road Y was mitigated by controlling overflows from their parking lot. Any event that caused the parking lot to overflow, was to be discontinued.
What would have to be discontinued If only 1/3 of the 3000 people currently using the Page Mill Y transfer to Ross Road, and they all car pool every single time? They’d need 500 parking spaces. There are not 500 parking spots at Ross Road. What if only 1/3 of those 1000 members, all carpooling, come on any given day? They’d need 166 spots. There are not 166 parking spots at Ross Road. What would have to be discontinued to mitigate the effect of the overflow this impact would cause? The use of the pool? The use of the exercise room? Both?
So Page Mill doesn’t fulfill the “mission” of serving families? Page Mill members are fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles, grandpas and grandmas, with a few singles and Stanford students male and female thrown in. If we are’t family anymore because the kids are grown, are they saying you’re too old to be part of the Y.? so you just throw us out? This is “ageist” , as one poster described and is certainly prohibited under our discrimination laws! Who thought up this ill- advised move, a bean counter looking at a spreadsheet? Certainly someone “on high” in the corporate (nonprofit) structure who knows little of the on-the-ground good work done at the Page Mill Y for older adults–a Parkinson’s group, a cancer-survivors group, and others. Older people need to have a place to gain support and keep at the hard work of preserving their health. For 35 years this has been the mission of the Page Mill Y , the current ED’ s pronouncement notwithstanding, and this decision must be reversed to keep it, and its members, alive. Admit you erred; to err is human. KTn7X
There’s a task force forming to save the Page Mill Y. Send an email w/ PAGE MILL as the subject to:
SavingThePageMillYtaskForce@gmail.com
You’ll be sent some action steps (links) to take, which will take only a few minutes.
Don’t give up the ship!
Glad to see people are getting organized.
At Page Mill Y twice this weekend. Disgusted to see Page Mill’s Exec Director working the floor and trying to sell everyone the virtues of the EPA YMCA. As for the “regular” staff, it appears to have been replaced with new staff, wearing Silicon Valley YCMA logo polo shirts. As if this weren’t disrespectful enough, I listened to the young man working the front desk tell a member that the PM YMCA was the “first YMCA” in Palo Alto, and that since the new family YMCA was built, Palo Alto didn’t need two YMCAs. Not only was it flat-out WRONG (Ross Road YMCA did precede the PM Y and it was later re-modeled to be the Family YMCA), but Palo Alto can support 2 YMCAs. Perhaps to illustrate the point, all 3000 PM YMCA members should drive over to the PA Family YMCA next weekend. Not only would there not be enough parking spots, all the traffic would bring midtown Palo Alto to a halt. Not a bad way to make the SV YMCA rethink their hasty and ill-thoughtout decision.
Great idea about overwhelming the Ross Road YMCA to make the point!
Even a few hundred Page Mill folk caravanning over and deciding to use the Y at the same time would bring the PA Family YMCA and Midtown Palo Alto to its knees.
I am one of those hoping that SV YMCA reconsiders its sudden decision to close the Page Mill YMCA, an institution in Palo Alto for so many years. The PMY serves an important demographic, one with connections and clout in the community. 3000 members can make ourselves heard — and felt. I think the idea of 3000 or so PM members driving to Ross Road en mass next weekend would be an excellent way to demonstrate both our strength in numbers and the impact of this additional traffic and parking on the midtown neighborhood if we all showed up to use that facility. Let’s organize!
Hi, my husband and I chose PMY about 12 years ago because of the location being close to home, near Arastradero and Foothill. My husband mainly jogs on the treadmill and some Fitlinxy and weight lifting. I like group classes and I go 3 times a week to my favorite instructors, plus some occasional Fitlinxy or trying new classes. I tallied up the number of classes at the three Palo alto Y’s and found for its size my PMY had 113 group classes, many Fitlinxz machines, treadmill, etc machines, that never seem all busy at the same time.we have the only racketball courts, also very popular.
Ross Rd Y has over 120 land and water based group classes. Plus two gyms East And West which offer some classes as well as group sports, such as basketball.. An indoor pool offers fitness water classes, swim lanes,and lessons. I am not interested in the pool, so we never considered the Ross road Y.only during our fall cleaning shut downs at PMY do we ever go to Ross Rd. Then it’s always super busy.
The East Palo alto Y offers an outdoor pool May Thru Sept. we are not interested in that, besides its too long a drive for a gym.
They only offer 41 group exercise classes, I wonder why? No group classes are offered on Sunday. They have machines and wellness equipment like Fitlinxz, but I couldn’t find any Pilates or yoga classes on their June schedule on line either. So it sound like an inadequate gym for our PMY members to transfer to to use, unless you want to swim, use some machines or use child care for a limited number of hours during the week.
Seems like the Silcon Valley Board didn’t really consider how active our PMY really is and to close it would mean a loss of classes available to them at East Palo Alto Y, or over crowed classes and gyms at the Ross Rd Y. Besides we have more than classes going for us at the PMY we have friends we would see less of as we scatter to new gyms all over the area!
I didn’t even know Page Mill was closing until I found a helpful note in my locker. It was placed there by some community activism.
Why aren’t there posters and flyers out to inform all of us? I sincerely hope the Y is not trying to make this a quiet announcement, so that on Oct 2nd, they can say, “Oh, we sent out an email months ago.”
I talked to some other members and I want to voice my strong complaint that we were not informed of this consideration earlier.
The Y made a very outward and strong campaign to get me to donate. And I did.
The Y should have informed me, as a donor, when they were considering to shut our gym down. To have me find out about the closure from a note in my locker is extremely insensitive and rude. So not only did they release the news to some people after the decision was made – I’m hearing now that a lot of members don’t even know yet.
I’m 100% sure the same people asking for our donations knew about closing our gym, during the time they asked for donations. Isn’t that illegal? Isn’t that NOT acting in good faith?
I feel taken advantage of. I was proud that me and my friends and neighbors donated enough to go over the fundraising goal. One of my friends that donated wasn’t even a member.
Now, thinking back, the fundraising sign and all the “congratulation” messages were removed just before the announcement to close came out.
I urge the people making the closure decision to give us a full year FROM THE TIME we donated. We were approached for donations NOT for nearby gyms, NOT for other ymca gyms. The donation I gave was for Page Mill and the nearby community. It was for the people I saw coming into the gym. It was for my kids and grandkids.
I think the decision makers knew about closing Page Mill long before they quietly announced it. I also think the timing of asking for so many donations just prior to shutting us down is in extreme bad taste.
The donations came from us, the members. We should also have a say in how these donations could be used to keep Page Mill open.
I actually donated a lot this year. But it’s not how much anyone donated – it’s a matter of principle.
I really feel taken advantage of. The Y got my donation by using words like “family, community, investing for my kids’ futures.”
This doesn’t feel like family at all. If the Y fails to communicate to us fairly and with the same trust we gave them during the donation period – then lawyers and the media may be necessary to get the point across.
The Page Mill YMCA is closing after almost 35 years.
Our family has been YMCA members first when our three children were young and we lived in Palo Alto, at the Ross Road YMCA and for the last 25 years my wife, Marilyn, and I have been members at the Page Mill YMCA. With the planned closure of the Page Mill YMCA, something does not smell right.
The property owner, J & B Properties, who I have talked with, has said they would be willing to have the YMCA remain at Page Mill. The Silicon Valley YMCA Board, that made this decision,does not give any clear definition as to the real reason for the abandonment of the Page Mill site.
Has the alternative YMCA, Ross Road YMCA, notified their close neighbors that perhaps another 3,000 – 3,500 people may be driving through their neighborhood and perhaps overflow parking on residential streets to serve as an alternative YMCA? This situation does not appear that it will work well.
A public meeting to fully explain the Silicon Valley YMCA Board’s decision for the shut down was discussed with COO, Elizabeth Jordan, but it was determined later that the Board would singularly answer questions instead of holding such a public meeting. “Divide and conquer”. And, “by the way the Page Mill site is just a basement” Ms. Jordan said.
The main comment from the Silicon Valley YMCA Board is that they wish to better serve their communities. There is no explanation as to what this means. How does closing the Page Mill YMCA and therein destroy long working, 34 years, relationships with these YMCA’s members benefit the overall Silicon Valley YMCA?
Also, there was no apparent outreach by the Silicon Valley YMCA to discuss their decision with the Page Mill membership. It was a done deal that we were informed about after the decision was made. This surely shows a very poor manner to treat the YMCA membership. Having served on the Menlo Park City Council for 8 years, if we had done something like this we would have been impeached.
Writing notes like this does not in itself solve this issue. However, there are options that our membership can and should take to try and reverse this faulty decision but it will take involvement by the Page Mill YMCA membership. Please contact me a m-ckinney@sbcglobal.net.
As a 20 year member of the Page Mill YMCA (PMY), I want to add my comments on the decision to close our facility at the end of September. The more I think about it, the more upset I get! The board of the Silicon Valley YMCA seems to think that the Y’s are interchangeable and that we can easily recreate what we are loosing. That just isn’t the case. Each Y has its own personality that makes it special. Location and other issues also make a difference. Of the three choices that have been given to us, East PA and El Camino are too far away especially with today’s traffic, and Ross Rd. is already overcrowded and has parking issues. They really haven’t provided any real or acceptable alternates. In addition, Page Mill has been unique in that while it has many ages as members, it has done a wonderful job serving middle aged to senior members of our community. There is so much research that backs up the importance of exercise and community for older adults. I personally think that is the elephant in the room. In our youth-centric society, our older population is not as valued. As Matt the Executive Director of PMY told me in an email I sent him asking the reasons for the closure the first one I was given was “As a non-profit, we are continually evaluating how we can better achieve our mission to foster youth development…” With three family Y’s in the area, it is sad that the wonderful community that has been built by the members of PMY seems to be no longer valued by the YMCA board. I can only hope that the board rethinks this terrible decision and comes to their senses.
Dear Chuck,
I agree with you that “something does not smell right.”
The more information that is being dug out, the more disrespected I feel about our gym being closed down.
There needs to be two or three people (at least) that are “appointed leaders” to keep Page Mill open. A lot of the members and community that will be hurt most by the closure don’t even know what email is. There needs to be phone numbers available. The media has to be involved.
We have to be diligent.
I also agree your “divide and conquer” observation. If the forces closing Page Mill are organized, we will need double or triple the organization to keep Page Mill running.
I am upset by the comments that the staff at Page Mill has been replaced. I didn’t realize that was the reason I haven’t seen some of the usual staff.
Please continue your leadership, Chuck. You have more people than you realize supporting your work to keep Page Mill open.
I wasn’t going to write a comment, but I’ve started to notice that I’m not the only one that doesn’t want Page Mill to close.
As a recent member, I feel I have a unique perspective of the gym closure. I overheard some people saying that the main reason for some members’ frustration over the closure is simply because they have been here many years and got used to it.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
Page Mill YMCA is like no place I have ever seen. I brought my daughter in, who was overeating and suicidal. The staff treated me like family – something my daughter and I never experienced, even in our personal lives. They set us up with membership we could afford.
It just kept getting better. They even said every member at Page Mill could get 2 free personal training sessions. The trainers were so friendly to my daughter. Some gave her life advice, others gave her nutrition advice, others gave her training tips. The trainers always greeted her with a smile. The other staff always asked how we were doing, how her graduation and classes were coming along.
There were a couple teens my daughter’s age. They were nice to her and became her friends. When my daughter had her graduation party, she didn’t invite anyone from school – she invited people at Page Mill.
I watched my baby go from being despondent to even bugging me to take her to the gym.
Of course, we soon ran out of all our sessions, but the trainers kept helping both of us for free.
As soon as I heard of the gym closure, I took my daughter to visit other nearby Ys (without telling her why).
I’m sorry I have to say this – and it’s not because I’ve been a 30 year member – this Page Mill YMCA has staff and members that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s not even a subtle difference. Page Mill is a world of its own.
I don’t know who or what is making Page Mill close. But if this happens, you are really breaking apart something that saved us. Anyone that says to me “oh, the other gyms are just as nice” have no idea what the heart of Page Mill is.
If you don’t know Page Mill, you shouldn’t be the ones deciding to close it!
Everyone please read this:
I just spoke with the property manager. THE PAGE MILL YMCA DOES NOT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN FOR REMODELING. REPEAT: THE PAGE MILL YMCA DOES NOT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN FOR REMODELING. The property manager is currently marketing the space for rent, as is from the time the Silicon Valley Association pulls out.
Apparently the Silicon Valley Association’s decision to close us down is independent of any need to remodel. The landlord would like us to stay.
Let’s see if we can take it over ourselves or have someone else run it for us.
MembersTruth,
Indeed, “The Truth Will Set You Free!”
I like your idea to take over the gym. Please use the current staff or other staff that will be as friendly as the ones we have now.
Ok, time for all of you to get to work, now. How many of the following have you done? Get on the telephone and email.
Call/email the following and let them know how unhappy we are about the closure:
Page Mill Property Manager Robert Wheatly 650 856-0926
SC Council on Aging (408) 755-7600
SVYMCA executive director Kathy Riggins 408-351-6400 info@ymcasv.org
SVYMCA entire board of directors info@ymcasv.org
Palo Alto Weekly (650) 326-8210
Stanford Daily (650) 721-5801
San Jose Mercury (408) 920-5446
San Fran Chronicle metro@sfchronicle.com http://www.sfgate.com/submissions/
Menlo Almanac (650) 854-2690
AARP Los Altos local chapter (650) 947-2797
Palo Alto City Council http://www.cityofpaloalto.org
Palo Alto Traffic Commission adminsvcs@cityofpaloalto.org Phone: 650-329- 2520, Email: transportation@cityofpaloalto.org
All PA Family YMCA members
Attorney specializing in age discrimination
Local TV stations
Set a day for as many PM Y members as possible to arrive at the Palo Alto Family Y to demonstrate the parking problem (call news stations to let them know)
Picket the SVYMCA building “
Picket the Palo Alto Family YMCA “
Hold a meeting in the central green area of the PM YMCA “
Put an information sheet with emails, websites on all cars at the PM YMCA and PA Family YMCA
Post signs about the closing at the July 4th Chili cookoff
StopComplainingDoSomething put out great resources.
Let’s say that due to: legal pressure from Age Discrimination and bad faith taking of donations; media attention; pressure from members –
that YMCA keeps Page Mill open.
Then what?
Let this be a profound learning experience.
We need to be more involved in the operations and leadership of PM. We need to position ourselves so that if PM is to be sacrificed for (what they think is) “the greater good,” we can move in and like MembersTruth suggested: Take over the gym.
Taking over the gym is a “Plan B” that requires work starting now.
Ideally, YMCA will keep PM open.
If not, there needs to be a backup plan of seeing which staff will stay. I feel the current Executive Director of PM has done a fantastic job. The staff trust and like him. If you can get him to sign on with the “new management,” most of the existing staff will probably stay too.
Who knows? Maybe the YMCA will be delighted to sell all the existing workout equipment to you.
What will we name our new gym if we go with PLAN B?
“Page Mill Community Center” ?
Will it be another non-profit?
Whether Y or The Members become the new owners, I think the gym can continue to make money at night. It should be called, “The Bat Cave.”
It can be techno and other rave music. It would be an awesome club.
Me and my friends wouldn’t have to drive out to San Fran for the night life anymore.
Please don’t shut down the Page Mill Y!! Page Mill is a special and important place with a loyal membership. There are so many good things about it, but the one that I want to emphasize is that it is a safe and comfortable place for seniors and for people over 40 while still being beneficial and challenging for its younger members. I feel like this is so important in our youth centered culture. How could the YMCA not understand how important it is to have a safe and supportive place for older people to work out with instructors who are sensitive and experienced and a community that is friendly? How is closing a facility like this “the best way to serve the Palo Alto community”? The other Y facilities are not the same, they are not in this neighborhood and are not the same community. I might consider going to Ross Road to add to the overcrowded atmosphere, but I definitely won’t go all the way to East Palo Alto. I think this is tragic and a big mistake.
Thank you .. stopcomlaininganddosomething. I am on vacation right now, but want to get involved when I get back. I wonder if writing to the board of directors of the Y would be of value. I would print out this whole string of comments and send. I do believe that it is discrimination. Are we using this thread for discussion or should we open another discussion group? Online will cut this off eventuallly. Google Groups? Is there another facility in Town Square for starting a discussion?
http://www.ymca.net/organizational-profile
p.s. Regarding flyers or protests .. there needs to be a focus to some part of the Y organization .. to a name… the local org is the one who made the decision. I don’t think that is high enough.
@Chris C
Many people have tried to contact Elizabeth Jordon, the COO of the SV YMCA who oversaw this decision. Elizabeth’s direct office number is 408.351.6446.
I think leaflets and peaceful protests are a constructive way to get the word out. In particular, the word needs to get to folks at the Ross Road YMCA, the facility where we are being suggested to transfer. Parking and overcrowding are already an issue there. They really don’t need 3000 more of us.
I thought that I was part of the Y but Elizabeth Jordan and her Executive team are making all the decisions. Elizabeth is NOT responding to emails or telephone calls. I certainly never had a job where I could ignore questions from the public. SVYMCA Executive team is snubbing their members. What a way to run a business? Does the Board of Directors know what a poor job their Executive team is doing or of the public uproar about the team’s decision?
The Palo Alto Elks Lodge right down the block on El Camino has a very vibrant and active Handball / Racketball Community. We are a wonderful charitable organization that is also very family friendly! We have beautiful workout facilities and a gorgeous outdoor pool for family fun and lap swimming!
Come check us out!
At the Ross Road branch today there was someone from Page Mill looking at the facility. They were expecting to be able to transfer and still be able to find the same facilities and no crowds at the popular times of day. Some hope!
Dear Ross Road Member,
Is there anyway that you can get the word out for us at Page Mill to everyone at the Ross Road Y that they will be inundated by at least a thousand new members and their cars. If I were a Ross Road member, I would want to know and I would protest to my own Y and the Silicon Valley YMCA. Thanks!
Page Mill
I have spoken with a couple of the staff and also a couple of members. The staff have had a staff meeting, but don’t really think it is a big deal until memberships start to get transferred and they get some idea of the numbers. Likewise many of the members. I suggest that you get some flyers on the cars, in the locker room and start making some noise in Ross Road yourselves. I have said my piece but until the PM members start appearing, nobody seems very concerned as yet.
I am a former member because I got fed up with the short hours, no available spaces in the parking lot, more members being signed up while more equipment was being taken away, waiting in line for a shower, and last but not least, an increase in rates every year.
I felt like I was continually paying more for less and less.
I was at the gym today and found a helpful flyer! Please get in on the action and email savingthepagemillytaskforce@gmail.com
Here is the facebook page organized to help prevent the closure! Check it out and get involved!
https://www.facebook.com/savethepagemillymca?skip_nax_wizard=true&ref_type=bookmark
THE PAGE MILL “Y” ORGANIZING SONG
sing to the tune of “Solidarity Forever”
When the Page Mill’s inspiration through the members’ blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
No force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
It’s the Page Mill that makes us strong.
CHORUS:
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
For the Page Mill makes us strong.
Is there aught we hold in common with those greedy parasites,
Who would cast us out, disburse us and would crush us with Y’s might?
Is there no course left for us to take but organize and fight?
For the Page Mill makes us strong.
Chorus
It is we who run the treadmills; take the classes, pump the weights;
It is we‘ve been here since ’79, and we sure aren’t goin’ away;
Now we see through their pronouncements, and we’re damn well here to stay;
Beause the Page Mill makes us strong.
Chorus
All the world that’s run by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the Y’s foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not ‘Lizbeth Roberts, ours to master and to own.
‘Cause the Page Mill makes us strong.
Chorus
Y’s admins take their salaries that they never toiled to earn,
And without our membership not a single wheel there turns.
We members are the power, we’ll buy our own gym when we learn
That the Page Mill makes us strong.
Chorus
In our hands is placed a power strong as capital campaigns,
Smarter ‘an short-term thinking, bigger ‘an their tiny brains.
We can flex our collective muscles and we’ll flush them down the drain,
For the Page Mill makes us strong.
To have your opinion, thoughts, and ideas heard come into the gym at the PM YMCA:
TUESDAY JULY 8 AFTER 10:00 AM.
A reporter will be there to listen to us. Tell all the PM YMCA members you know to be there.
The we site for the campaign is: https://www.facebook.com/savethepagemillymca
Please visit it, read, and comment. Let’s get going!
In the Page Mill YMCA’s Annual Giving Drive they state:
“When you give to the Page Mill YMCA’s Annual Campaign, 100% of your gift will be used to make a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own community. In short, you continue to strengthen our community and move us all forward.”
Reportedly we at Page Mill gave $163,000. Will the Page Mill YMCA return our donations? Clearly the money is not going to be spent on our Page Mill YMCA. Lawyers out there, what do you think??
The California Corporations Code gives a donor the right to sue a charitable corporation (in a civil action) to compel it to use funds for the purposes solicited. This right exists whenever a donation is made “based upon an affirmative representation that it would be used for a specific purpose . . . and has been used in a manner contrary to the specific purpose.” Such suits may also be brought against the charity by any member, director or officer of the organization. Even the state attorney general may demand that the organization make restitution by redirecting other funds to the solicited purpose.
I donated to Page Mill YMCA specifically for programs AT THE GYM. It was not for another “local Y.” It was not for people I didn’t know (sorry to be selfish, but I have limited funds).
The way I was pursued and pushed into donating, then shortly after hearing the announcement of PM closing makes me feel swindled.
I’m 100% sure the people in power were already certain of the closure at the time of the campaign.
I find the timing of the campaign, asking for donations, and the closure distasteful.
To ask for and take my donation, yet not even discuss the closure with me first, makes me feel taken advantage of.
The people hurt most by the closure are those:
Too old to protest or use technologies like computers and email
Challenged or handicapped in some way where they are unable to use inexpensive and unassisted transportation to another gym
Some of the handicapped people are VERY DISTRAUGHT over the closure, yet they have a hard time expressing how they feel. I have seen some try to complain or explain their situation. I feel upset the management is not reaching out to these individuals to assure them of viable alternatives.
If you take advantage of me, I feel frustrated. But to see the Y take donations from the elderly and mentally challenged – then suddenly turn around and close the gym makes me feel upset.
When the Y helped the elderly and those with health problems, they used a loudspeaker to announce this to the world. Yet, when the same people are using loudspeakers to voice their suffering over PM’s closure, they are only getting stonewalled.
Google “Stonewalled” and you get this:
stone·wall
ˈstōnˌwôl
verb
past tense: stonewalled; past participle: stonewalled
delay or block (a request, process, or person) by refusing to answer questions or by giving evasive replies, especially in politics.
“the highest level of bureaucracy stonewalled us”
Closing the gym is bad. Closing the gym without telling the members when it was actively considered is very bad. Not returning our emails and phone calls, not following through with plans to “meet the members” collectively is very corporate, VERY HORRIBLE.
I’m very disappointed about this. This is a serious error by the Y management. The landlord has been very cooperative, and, the Page Mill Y is a great location for those who either live or work in the area. That includes everybody who lives anywhere from Arastradero, Barron Park, Ventura, or College Terrace. Traffic is so bad getting across town that regular use of Ross Road is just not an option for me on my schedule. Not to mention that the weight room is already crowded there during the hours I typically use it, as I have rediscovered a number of times. Unfortunately, it will be pointless to continue our family membership without Page Mill. Sigh.
Ross Road staff tell me that they are preparing for new members by reconfiguring the parking lot and indoor space to accommodate more members. They do not propose capping membership numbers. There have been many people checking out the facility.
The average Ross Road user does not know about the situation.
I was very unhappy to hear about the proposed closure of the Page Mill YMCA. I’ve been coming here ever since I took part in the Living Strong–Living Well programme in 2005. I like having a space with other older adults, (and no screaming rugrats!), clean locker rooms and excellent equipment. I also like having a computer to borrow from time to time. 😉
The only thing I don’t like is the administration. They are more incompetent than any government institution I have ever dealt with! They have messed up my membership records and transactions more times than I care to remember. Perhaps poor management is the REAL reason for the closure, but nobody wants to see the elephant in the room.
EPA is in a bad neighbourhood, and Ross Rd. has too many kids and not enough parking.
If I can’t have Page Mill, I will go to JCC or another gym.
I’m not sure if it’s more insulting that I was asked to donate (and I did) just before the closure announcement. Or, that I’m expected to believe any of the excuses fed to us for the basis of the closure. I’m a MBA graduate of a very prestigious institution. I have analyzed the information, talked to many 3rd parties (including the landlord).
What we were told is:
(1) not the truth
(2) not the whole story
The Universe has told me that this is in fact a blessing. Because the information we were given was so deceitful, my lawyer friend said YMCASV may have many legal issues. One outcome is they may have the choice to keep Page Mill open; or, they have to release financial records which will show the real truth. From what we’ve gathered so far, they will probably keep Page Mill open.
To have your opinion, thoughts, and ideas heard come into the gym at the PM YMCA:
TUESDAY JULY 8 AFTER 10:00 AM.
A reporter will be there to listen to us. Tell all the PM YMCA members you know to be there.
We received a letter with a sticker. But my family has 6 members. Why didn’t they put in 6 for us?
Shame on the Y management for going about this in such a covert, sneaky way. This flies directly in the face of their stated goal of involving members in decisions. No Y philosophy reflected here, just another beaurocratic bottom-line decision. If Y management has any sense, they will try to contact members and brainstorm solutions with them. Otherwise you can bet that the Y has lost hundreds of supporters as well as the other community members who’ve witnessed this betrayal of members’ trust.
I overheard an elderly member complain to the PMY director about the closure, and the director in return tried to sell him on the EPA ‘Y’. When the member told him that EPA gym is too far, traffic to and from too heavy, and the area too dangerous for an older person, he just smiled and shrugged in what seemed to me like total indifference. I found that attitude dismissive and disrespectful, and it seems like it’s dictated from above. I hope that all the current members will do what I have done-cancel their membership and join a non YMCA fitness center.
I go to Page Mill more than the branch near my house because I like Page Mill YMCA more. Today, I was in class at Page Mill and heard a loud screaming from a lady. She was upset and was swearing. My husband said the PM staff calmed her down. The lady complained she was hungry and upset about recent things in her personal life. The staff made phone calls to find her a shelter for the night. And also gave her their lunch food. I have been at a lot of local Ys for classes and this kind of staff behavior is typical only of PM. PM staff are especially kind and friendly. They all know us by name. The Y organization is ignorant of the staff personality there. People in power were using calculators and not their hearts or brains in deciding to shut down this historic gym. I won’t be at the Tuesday media conference, but I hope someone who reads this also knows what I’m talking about and shows it to reporters.
The Y at Page Mill has a bulletin board on which members are invited to post their impression of the Y in six words:
* Happy. Warm. Thoughtful. Inventive, Community. Opportune.
* Positive. Creative. Caring. Healthy. Fun. Family.
* Helping those who need it most.
* Great staff members creating impact everyday.
* Started. Got healthy. Looked better. Stayed.
* Group support. Upbeat staff. Great Motivators.
* Fun. Friendly. Fitness. Caring. Competent staff.
* Healthy exercise. Friendships. Value and driven.
* Our members care and give back.
* Safe place to regain your health
* Workouts will work well with wellbeing
* Stronger! Better balance. (Personal Trainer>) Slimmer
* My best work all week long.
* Laura increased my ability to survive.
* A chance to give my best.
* The YMCA is a lifesaver. Yes!!
* Community activities. Happy staff. Inspiring members.
* Wonderful Tai chi. Class. Teacher. Eye candy.
* Health. Longevity. Vitality. Connection. Friendship. Fun
* Comfortable. Challenging. Community. Friendship. Core. Party.
* Community activities. Happy staff. Inspiring members.
This says a lot about the spirit of this most unusual gym.
Pm_ymca_the_best (of Barron Park), That was a very creative yet accurate posting of Page Mill’s spectacular daily success. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write that post. We will see whoever you are Tue morning 10 am!
By the way, could someone please call more reporters to show up Tue? This kind of effort to stop a gym closure should be national news.
I used to belong to Ross Rd, but the annual membership was being raised every year. To the point it was not worth the price: too many people, too little equipment, long waits for equipment, angry arguments breaking out about the whose turn it was to use the equipment, and far too little parking ( esp considering the constant flow of new members ).
I tried to transfer my membership to the Page Mill Y, but was told that the price was the same, even though Page Mill does not have a pool. I was told I could attend Page Mill only if I paid an extra daily charge each time I used their facility! This did not seem right, because whenever I go out of town, I a. Able to use a local YMCA gym FOR FREE!
So, I waited until 24 Hour Fitness was having a special, and got a smoking deal that costs only a fraction of what I was paying at the Y. Plus, I can use any of their facilities anywhere else FOR FREE!
Folks, the Y has become very elitist and puts itself up there with places like Equinox. It isn’t worth the hassle or the money. Other gyms have more and better equipment, more and better showers. Do what I did and go elsewhere.
St. Elsewhere, that is very kind of you to provide options for us. My family left 24 hr fitness because customer service routed us to foreign countries. And we found the staff to be very unhelpful. Any problem or request we had, we were given an 800 number to call. And yes – as I mentioned – the call goes overseas.
No. We are going to stay in the YMCA system, where we are not working out inside a business. The Y is a community, non-profit organization that helps all kinds of people in need and distress. Also, we like going to Page Mill where we are treated like family by the staff.
We will stay at Page Mill. And Page Mill will not close Oct. 1, 2014. The decision to close this miracle of a gym was a mistake. Well intentioned, perhaps; but still a mistake.
A Tuesday at 10 am to meet reporters is a terrible time, since most of Page Mill’s members are working at that time. But I have a lot of friends showing up. And I have TOTAL FAITH they will REPRESENT!!!
Hi John, what is “DOD”? Dept of Defense or… ? Just trying to figure that out.
I have this to say to the reporters:
You can take our memberships; BUT YOU CAN NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM!
When Page Mill adjusts its hours, or a machine is down, there are much more notices up than a few papers hidden in the corner. This is why I only found out about the closure yesterday. I believe the news of the closure is being swept under the carpet intentionally. There is nothing “honest” about this whole process. The more I research into this decision, the more falsehoods I’m finding. Critical action needs to be taken now to correct this wrong!
The YMCA association of Silicon Valley is very clear in their statement that we no longer fit their “profile”. They are not interested in maintaining a relationship with the 3500 aging PM YMCA members. If we want to stay together as an entity in the face of what appears to be an ageist decision we can try to join another YMCA. In speaking with YMCA USA in Chicago their advice is to try to get another Y to take us over. Our current Silicon Valley Executive Director would have to “let us go”. Based on the decisions our Executive Director is making, it is likely that she will fight any efforts to let us go. The YMCA is an oligarchy at best with no voting rights by individual YMCA’s. The Executive Director has all the power in this dictatorship and the Board of Director’s have been fed inaccurate and misleading information. Our Executive Director appears to be interested in power building for her own career rather that the stated goals of the local community.
From the National YMCA:
“Advocate with the Y
Believing that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, deserves to be healthy, confident, connected and secure, the Y is a powerful ally and advocate for our communities.
With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y collaborates with national and community-based leaders and policymakers to increase the resources and support that empower individuals, families and communities to learn, grow and thrive.
As an advocate of the Y, you can help:
•Influence policies and initiatives that help youth develop healthy behaviors, values and life skills
•Prevent and combat chronic disease
•Build trust and understanding among community groups and decision makers
•Positively impact societal issues of importance to the nation and your community”
http://www.ymca.net/advocate
Here is a list of Donors and Partners who may be interested in helping the Page Mill “Y” stay open. Perhaps if they pulled their resources from the “y” the “Y” might change its mind.
•The Anne Ray Charitable Trust
•Annie E. Casey Foundation
•Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc.
•Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
•The Goizueta Foundation
•Humana Inc.
•Matt Hyde and Lisa Beaudreau
•JCPenney
•The JPB Foundation
•LIVESTRONG® Foundation
•McKibben-Merner Family Foundation
•National Basketball Association (NBA)
•Novo Nordisk Inc.
•The Noyce Foundation
•Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
•Pfizer Inc
•Precor Incorporated
•The REI Foundation
•Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
•Sam’s Club Giving Program
•Sun Life Financial
•UnitedHealth Group
•Doug and Maggie Walker
•The Wallace Foundation
•The Walmart Foundation
•W.K. Kellogg Foundation
•Youth Outdoor Legacy Fund
http://www.ymca.net/donors-partners
I am a Bay Area Wide Y member and will unfortunately probably cancel my family Bay Area YMCA membership as a result of this decision. I hate to do it, as I support the YMCA as an organizatioin and my children did (and do) many Y programs including YNG, Model UN, summer camps, and more.
But Ross Road is incredibly crowded already and if 3K PM members are suddenly going to go there it will be unbearable. I already can never find parking at Ross Road which is why I started working out at PM in the first place. Even after you get a parking space, you can’t find an open machine.
I cannot imagine how this “improves” service.
So I will probably work out at Stanford for free or just join Equinox or JCC.
But I am worried about where all the elderly people who go to PM will go. The PM Y is a kind of senior drop in center for seniors who want to stay fit and active. After they work out, they can sit and have a coffee or tea and chat with each other on the comfy chairs. They have a little social time, as well as fitness. It is obviously a very very important place for them to be. I think of Eva who is probably nearly 90 years old. Where will she go? What about her friendships and the people she likes to talk to?
To me, to take away a place that is so important in the lives of so many seniors is just heartless and not at all consistent with what the YMCA should be providing to the community. There are many PA seniors who just want a place to go and sit with people and have a chat or be somewhere other than home. To take that away is so unkind. I am so surprised at the summary way this decision was made and given to people as well. For seniors who to to PM I think it comes as a real shock and loss of community.
I sincerely hope this can be reconsidered.
Someone above said the Page Mill Property Manager is Robert Wheatly 650 856-0926.
Isn’t he part of the huge property management and development company WSJ on Ash St. near Fry’s?
-Connected with Robert Wheatley Properties.
Can’t tell whether he is connected to the decision to close but it’s worth asking him.
Most decisions like this one have to do with big money.
It has already been stated that the landlord has nothing to do with this decision. In other words, the rent did not go up.
The “3500” members of Page Mill is grossly understated. Most of the members (like me) actually have their home branch in other locations. However, we only go to Page Mill because of the special family atmosphere. Many of the cancer survivors, Parkinsons, financially distressed, homeless, teen programs, etc etc ARE NOT COUNTED in the “3500” number. The actual number of people (the observant staff will confirm this) that will be devastated by this closure is more around 10,000. I, like all my friends, usually just walk into the gym without signing in. This and many other patterns heavily discount the true number of people relying on Page Mill. One thing though… I thought our Executive Director was a guy. Did someone write our ED is a woman? Or did they mean on the Executive level?
I don’t see what all the fuss is about. My friend from Hollywood said after visiting our gym a week that if Page Mill did a Reality TV Series, it would make more than all the other Bay Area Y’s combined. Lights, Cameras, ACTION! (And a lotta Benjamins!) Make this happen and next year all the toilets will be gold plated.
As a former employee of the local Y’s and a General Manager of a local competitor of the Page Mill Y, I am really going to miss the Page Mill Y. I learned so much over the years from my working with Cheryl, Michelle, Christina and Melissa and I loved working out at Page Mill!
Now that I run Vivre Fitness in downtown Palo Alto I see a lot of similarities in how a strong a community can form within a club of like minded people. I also see the creativity that smaller clubs are forced to exhibit in both design and programming. Big box gyms never quite understand that rows and rows of treadmills does not equal a great gym experience.
I wish all staff and members of the Page Mill Y the best of luck. Please feel free to come visit Vivre if you are ever downtown!
I was curious what made this post so popular! After reading through all the posts, it seems clear that the Page Mill Y is being closed in the hopes that everyone will join the EPA Y instead. I can’t imagine that happening. First of all, its a good 20-30 minutes away due to traffic. Second, its in EPA. And although East Palo Alto has wonderful residents, its is still not safe enough for me.
I hope that somehow the Page Mill Y stays open – all this praise made me want to join! It sounds like a wonderful community.
Dear True Count,
I heard today that there may be more than 1500 regular Page Mill users “units” that have their primary Y listed as somewhere else. If others like you and the members who list Ross Road as their primary location but use Page Mill YMCA switched their primary location to Page Mill we could stay open. Only one Y gets to count the “unit” and that Y also gets all the money paid for that “unit”. We would have a sufficient number of members and their associated “units” funds to stay open without question. How about it Ross Road Page Mill YMCA users? Switch your primary site to to us as primary an keep our hordes of members and their cars from your gym and parking lot.
Hi ROSSROADCANSAVEUS,
My aunt tried the other day to switch our home gym to page mill, in hopes of starting a trend to prove that much more people are “really” page mill members. We have our home gym somewhere else, but we never go there because pm is fun. Anyway, the guy at the counter said we can’t sign up as page mill members, and we also can’t switch over. My aunt said “someone in the shadows” is intentionally shutting down page mill. I haven’t had a lot of “real jobs,” but in my opinion, there’s some kind of big conspiracy. In american history class, we learned that if people don’t take action soon enough, and big enough, they will lose their rights.
I don’t know why there are so many smart people at the gym, but they’re not even trying to save it. I’m really gonna miss my friends there. I wish page mill really started a few years ago, not like 40 years ago. It’s not fair my aunt and mom got to enjoy the gym, but me and my sister can’t. 🙁
I hope the Y re-think and do not close PM.
I am not persuaded that the PM Y is being closed for the good of the community any more than I am persuaded that Christmas is held for the good of turkeys. Closing down gyms does not increase the amount of exercise taken.
So the problem is that one Y is not very successful and another Y is, and the solution is supposed to be to close the successful one? What’s going on here?!?
I joined the PM Y late last year, attend exercises several times a week, and find it to be wonderful. Please keep it open! We need more places like it.
If it is true that the YMCA SV is preventing members from switching to the Page Mill YMCA this is truly unethical as well as illegal. I hate to buy into the theory that there are sinister forces at work to close the Page Mill YMCA but the evidence keeps mounting. True to form, the YMCA of SV refuses to comment on any of these issues. Enough is enough, YMCA SV must answer these concerns. Elizabeth Jordan, can you get permission to speak to us as a whole?
ROSSROADCANSAVEUS, my Bf and I also tried to switch from El Camino to Page Mill. A lady in my body pump class said if PM got enough members, YMCA SV would see how many people actually use the gym. The guy at the desk said Page Mill was no longer allowed to begin new memberships (so any summer school students or summer season people can NOT join Page Mill anymore). Not only that, he also would not switch us from El Cam to PM. Actually, he even tried telling us how nice East Palo Alto gym is and that it would be great for us. I then escalated it to his manager and we got the same response. Basically, it was, “sorry, but Ross and East PA are close by.” My bf’s friend is an attorney and she said there are really multiple illegal actions going on here.
We need new leadership. Whoever was collecting our names, petition, and emails – all that – she never ever emailed us back. Will you – ROSSROADCANSAVEUS – be our new leader?
– Samantha
Just shortly after pm announced its closure, the women’s jacuzzi mysteriously went out of order. The jacuzzi has not been fixed for weeks. This has never happened before. Are there intentional actions to hurt the gym as much as possible to drive us to other gyms? Is this what it’s all about? Funny. During the donation drive, everything was working great!
This is an amazing place in a great location. This should stay open to serve the local market. Good people.
This is very nice to have a location where we can share information. I didn’t connect the dots, but after reading some comments, I recall now that Page Mill’s card printer stopped working at the time of the closure announcement. This is why one of my kids can’t scan her card. I was told the only way to get a YMCA SV member card now is to sign up at a local gym and print it from THEIR printer. Page Mill’s staff claims that their card printer is totally broken and cannot print any more membership cards, INCLUDING THOSE STILL WITH MEMBERSHIP like my daughter who lost hers. Luckily, she can get into Page Mill without scanning – but it is a factor for me to change gyms early. The other gyms ask her a lot of identity questions and give her a hard time about going in alone because she’s young. Also, (I have to double check on this but) my daughter said she tried printing her card out at Ross Road YMCA and they Refused. They told her they WOULD NOT PRINT ANY PAGE MILL YMCA members’ cards. They said she would have to become a Ross Road member FIRST, THEN they could print her a card. Why? Aren’t all these gyms under the same organization? Why is there so much effort from the local gyms AND Page Mill itself to get rid of membership? None of this makes sense. I’ve never heard of a gym, closing or not, that won’t issue memberships. Or, print member cards. Or, fix the facilities. We’re still paying for membership now. We deserve to have everything working right. But there are other forces at work, isn’t there?
There was a short mention of this on KTVU, no reporter, just the anchors. They gave the impression it was closing due to the facilities badly needing an upgrade and the YMCA didn’t have money to do the upgrades. They also gave the impression it was elderly members complaining and that they felt uncared about.
Palo Alto: Page Mill YMCA members vow to fight closure
By Jason Green
Daily News Staff Writer
The YMCA of Silicon Valley’s announcement last month that it will shutter the Page Mill YMCA in Palo Alto later this year has several members up in arms and fighting back.
One of those members, Ken Horowitz, said news of the closure was a bolt from the blue.
“I think the anger we’re feeling is that we were never involved in this decision,” he said. “We just got a letter in the mail: ‘We’re closing. Period.'”
The wording of the announcement has also led some members to speculate that the YMCA of Silicon Valley doesn’t value the mostly older people who frequent the Page Mill YMCA.
“We realized that we could better serve our members by focusing on facilities that can support a wide range of programming for all ages,” YMCA of Silicon Valley Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Jordan said in a June 24 news release announcing the closure.
“Are you saying that you need to take resources from us in order to serve the community better?” asked Ursula Duncan, who is organizing a task force to keep the branch open. “Older folks are part of the community. Everybody is kind of like, ‘What a slap in the face.'”
However, Jordan said the decision to close the Page Mill YMCA when its 10-year lease expires was solely financial.
The nearly 35-year-old facility, which is housed in the basement of Building B at 755 Page Mill Road, needs a slew of improvements, including a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, she said. The YMCA of Silicon Valley estimates the total cost at $2.8 million.
“There is certainly a deep understanding on behalf of the board of directors of what Page Mill carries and this was a very arduous and difficult decision for them to make,” Jordan said.
“But ultimately they realized the organization being a not-for-profit and having such limited resources, we just couldn’t take on a $2.8 million debt without having some foreseeable way of recouping that.”
The YMCA of Silicon Valley has encouraged members of the Page Mill YMCA to move over to the Palo Alto Family YMCA at 3412 Ross Road or the East Palo Alto Family YMCA at 550 Bell St.
“Nobody wants to go there,” Horowitz said about the latter location. “It’s not convenient.”
The Palo Alto Family YMCA isn’t much better, he said. It is located in a residential neighborhood where parking is already scarce.
“It’s going to create a problem for the residents there,” Horowitz said about the 3,500 members of the Page Mill YMCA who could potentially begin frequenting the branch.
The Palo Alto Family YMCA is already crowded, said Duncan, adding that there are often long lines for the exercise machines and showers.
“They don’t want to be where little kids are running all around and it’s noisy,” she said about Page Mill YMCA users. “Particularly for seniors that we have, it would be dangerous for them to go over there.”
Asked whether the YMCA of Silicon Valley considered asking Page Mill YMCA members to raise money for the needed repairs, Jordan said the organization rarely undertakes capital campaigns and instead focuses on causes such as keeping needy families fed.
“I’m not saying the people at Page Mill don’t have needs,” Jordan said. “They absolutely do. This is horrible. This is why we kept Page Mill open as long as we have. We’re certainly a community of people, but when it comes to fundraising, we put the most effort into raising money for people who don’t even have basic needs like food.”
Horowitz and Duncan said the task force wants to work with the YMCA of Silicon Valley to find a way to keep the Page Mill YMCA open. But it may mount a legal challenge if all else fails.
“We’re not going down without a fight,” said Horowitz.
Email Jason Green at jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; follow him at twitter.com/jgreendailynews.
Hi, if all the money they need is 2.8 Million – do you know how small that is in Silicon Valley?
I think I can secure about $1 Million in financing to keep PM open. But for the remaining 2.8 we’ll need other donors to help.
Thank you to the activists. I wouldn’t have known how LITTLE the amount was unless all of you made so much noise, forcing YMCA SV to reveal an accurate amount. When I talked to them, they made it seem like $20 Mil was needed – which is way beyond my reach currently.
(By the way, shutting down Page Mill over anything less than $15 Million is actually very very foolish. YMCA SV not making any effort at all to raise the money to keep PM running doesn’t make any sense at all. It would take MINIMAL marketing and effort to raise the money for PM. Minimal. What’s really going on here?)
Everyone who is reading this, please email or tweet Josh Green: jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com
He can get our voices out there even if the Silicon Valley executives won’t speak to us.
Have you noticed all the “black shirts” from the association office hanging about in the lobby? They are intimidating members and making certain that the PMYMCA staff members say the right thing. The YMCA of SV knows that the PMYCMA staff are as upset as the members about the closing. The PMYMCA staff have strict orders to refer everyone over to the EPYMCA and not discuss the lease. PMYMCS staff members will be without jobs soon unless they prove to be loyal to the YMCA of SV not the members of PMYMCA. It was next to impossible to find a YMCA executive staff member on the floor before this odious decision. Now Matt and the gang are out watching who is talking to whom, busy taking down signs, emails, petition, and reporting back to the YMCA of SV executive staff. This all seems to be way too Orwellian and goes against what the YMCA was supposed to stand for. Bad press is taking its toll on the YMCA of SV executive staff. Maybe it’s time to call for their ouster.
To answer FREEDOM’S question: YES, we have also noticed how the staff members are completely silent when certain people are around. We’ve noticed how the staff who are pro-Page Mill have had their hours cut. And new people are being brought in to replace the “misbehaving staff.” You can see from the staffs’ body language how they have so much to say, but are scared to express their feelings, thoughts, and observations. I don’t know all the staff very well, but I did have an interesting chat with the kids’ staff. I trust my kids to them, which is the highest trust a mother could give. And I’m grateful to say that I’ve found them very honest with me about the closure. I hope the other moms find a chance to get their opinions as well. The trick is to talk to them when their superiors are not around.
Some members have put out a lot of notices and small flyers to organize the thousands of people vehemently opposed to Page Mill’s closure. It is sad to see a non-profit allegedly supporting the community constantly taking these notices and messages away. This is a great waste of paper, time, and resources. It is also wrong.
Whoever you are, Freedom, we hope you continue to say it as it is. I noticed what you described, but I thought it was only my imagination until I read your comment.
My advice is to get the staff members’ information who support Page Mill. Once they are fired, we will have no method to contact them.
The staff at Ross Road are reluctant to talk about it but I have been told that they are planning to reconfigure the parking lot and other spaces to deal with more members.
I honestly don’t want PM members as we are very full most of the time. I like Ross Road mainly because it is walking distance and the difficulties of parking don’t affect me. But, I often find the lockers , bathrooms, showers, have lines, the classes are full and there are sometimes waits so long for machines that I give up doing my full workout.
I think you need to put flyers on cars in both parking lots, and let the Ross Road members know what is going on because as far as I can work out, very few are aware of the situation that we may be flooded with more people.
I was not planning to write this, but I’ve seen a couple comments about Matt and I have another perspective about his situation. First, Matt is an extremely good and friendly person. Everyone has a different leadership style. You don’t want to confuse a different style with opposition.
He’s probably stuck in a very hard spot. His superiors have most likely made it crystal clear how he should influence a “proper closure.” That would also include keeping a lid on the more vocal staff that could release truthful information that would reveal the “true reason” behind Page Mill’s closure. That would include not starting a successful campaign to save this great, historic gym.
Second, if you approach Matt and talk to him calmly, he will eventually give you information that can be used to question the Executives that made this incredibly foolhardy decision for closure. He will provide subtle information that can provide legal grounds to force the Executives to postpone or reconsider their self-serving decision.
One of my friends talked to Matt over a course of several days and discovered from him that Page Mill is a very profitable gym. The exaggerated claims of impending doom and imminent costs are a highly creative and ultimately deceitful interpretation of the accounting.
One good characteristic of Matt (and he has many) is that he will never tell you to get out of his face. Talk to him. Be patient. Ask a lot of questions. Ask questions about specific numbers. He will help you as much as he can.
It could be that out of everyone suffering from Page Mill’s closing, Matt may be the person most interested to keep Page Mill open. Otherwise, he would not have offered as much information as he has.
The reason so many Page Mill staff have been openly upset about their gym being forced closed, is that before this abusive decision was made, the staff was guided by Matt’s leadership to have great pride in Page Mill and compassion for all its members.
Give Matt a chance to help you. And he will. He already has – it’s only that very few people have noticed.
But all of you – all of us – must prioritize helping our gym. We have very little time left. Write down all the things we must do to successfully keep the gym open. Then, get done as many of those tasks as possible. Whether we win or lose, the gym is worth our best fight.
How do you feel about more than 3,500 ADDITIONAL members and their ADDITIONAL cars being crammed into Ross Road Palo Alto Family YMCA? How do you feel about Page Mill being closed? 408-298-1717 NOW!
YMCA SV board members and executive management will SHARE INFORMATION and answer all questions about Page Mill YMCA closing. Wednesday July 16 5PM to 6:30PM at Unitarian Universalist Church. 505 East Charleston Road Palo Alto CA 94306.
I used to be in real estate. Linfield Oaks in Menlo Park has a location perfect for Page Mill. It’s just west of Middlefield near St. Patrick’s Seminary. It’s just West of St. Patrick’s Seminary. I’ll try to write the address and give it to staff. It’s a great location for rent.
If the intent of closing PM is to increase the members in EPA (which it seems like it is) it will backfire. Most members will either join another gym (JCC, Elks) or go to Ross Road. Its a good 30 minute drive most of the time from the PM Y to the EPA Y. Plus, its in EPA.
When there’s so much dishonesty, deceit, and cover-up involved in the closure of such an important community center (Page Mill), there are indications. One is that the “additional meeting” scheduled for tomorrow is planned at 5PM.
When our donations were being collected and solicited, we were able to drop them off any time. But now? The meeting to discuss the closure is at 5PM?
Who scheduled that? Do they only expect retired people to show up? Are you trying to push out the doctors, lawyers, other professionals? Other people with something called “jobs” ?
They know how the traffic is. THEY KNOW THAT NO ONE WITH A NORMAL JOB CAN MAKE THIS MEETING.
Also, members at Ross Road are livid about the closure. A member put her phone number on all the cars in the parking lot at Ross Road YMCA, protesting the closure because it would overwhelm Ross Road.
Why wasn’t this meeting tomorrow posted at Ross Road?
The YMCA sends emails out to solicit our donations. But for the only meeting where members can discuss this abusive and discriminatory meeting – no one was notified? And for those that noticed it’s at 5 PM?
WE MEMBERS ARE NOT DUMB! STOP PLAYING GAMES WITH US!!
I was so angry, I wrote it incorrectly.
Here is what I meant to write,
The YMCA sends emails out to solicit our donations. But for the only meeting where members can discuss this abusive and DISCRIMINATORY CLOSURE – no one was notified? And for those that noticed it’s at 5 PM?
https://www.facebook.com/SavePMGym
The media and news needs to be called to join the 5 PM meeting tomorrow Wednesday to answer questions about Page Mill’s closure.
I talked to a former board member today who said Kathy Riggins makes well over $300,000.00 a year running YMCASV. I was shocked. I’m sure someone as dedicated as she is to community service and values Seniors in our country would be able to figure out a way to keep Page Mill YMCA open. The news said Page Mill only has to raise $2 million for renovations. I think Page Mill is beautiful and everything works great there. Why would renovations be necessary? Also, an assistant at the property owner’s office said the kind of renovations Page Mill wants would be paid for by property management, not the gym. Would a small donation from Kathy and the donations we just made be enough put together to keep Page Mill open another year?
Just like non-profit hospitals make outrageous profits and pay insane salaries to administrators–because they pay no taxes.
Seems like the IRS would have caught on to this non-profit scam the hospitals and the YMCA are running by now. Who wants to be the first to turn them in????
I’ve been reading your comments and you’re all being too nice.
YMCA SV taking Page Mill’s donations and closing the gym right after the campaign, then giving it to other gyms – this is not a matter you have to find an attorney for. If you can, great.
Whether you find a private attorney or not, you should be calling the District Attorney and Attorney General. The way YMCA SV solicited donations and took it for their own selfish purposes IS A CRIME. CALL THE POLICE AND D.As OFFICE.
This is my opinion of the timeline –
Executives at YMCA Silicon Valley realize East Palo Alto YMCA gym doesn’t have enough money because EPA has nearly no membership
Executives discuss and decide to shut down Page Mill YMCA because they calculate (in their opinion) that the elderly and mentally challenged will be unable to launch any kind of protest. They intend for Page Mill members to transfer to EPA
Page Mill is to be closed even though renovations are not necessary, renovations will be paid for by the building owners, and even though it is making a lot of money. Page Mill has much more membership than East Palo Alto.
Executives run an ultra-aggressive, deceitful campaign to “raise money” for Page Mill YMCA. The entire time, they are conscious and fully aware the money will all go to EPA
Members donate all the money they can to Page Mill YMCA
All the fundraising signs, congratulation posters, etc are taken down
Closure is announced. False information, excuses, and lies are disseminated to make the Page Mill members shut up. Deceit is used to convince Page Mill members that there is no hope to save the gym. YMCA Silicon Valley must discourage any effort to continue Page Mill under another YMCA organization, or any kind of organization outside of YMCA Silicon Valley, since the money will no longer go to them. Part of this plan was to drain the membership of money by running the ultra-aggressive donation campaign.
YMCA SV refuses to allow Page Mill to sign up any more members. They prohibit members from changing their branch to Page Mill, even though it was OK during donation campaign time. They prohibit staff from printing any more membership cards.
YMCA SV Executives turn away people wishing to discuss the decision for closure. They do not return emails and phone calls.
The Page Mill YMCA members and community, including members who have technical membership at other local branches, work as hard as they can to rally support and inform media of the YMCA SV deception, lies, and criminal activity.
YMCA SV Executives need some kind of “meeting” as proof they didn’t ignore the members and community. They are forced by the media pressure to hold a meeting. They setup the meeting in a confusing location, difficult for the elderly and mentally challenged to find. They give short notice of the meeting. They make it 5 PM, the worst time of the day and night to schedule anything.
The YMCA Crystal Ball reveals the following –
At the 5 PM meeting, YMCA SV Executives give out just enough information to appear helpful and compassionate. In reality, they have no intention to listen to anyone. The 5 PM meeting time was intended to discourage people to show up.
What needs to be done –
The members and media have to use all available resources, organizations, and leverage to prepare continuing a new Page Mill gym. The people who donated should be given an option to have their donations returned, so they can contribute that towards the new gym.
YMCA SV Executives, in their selfishness and lies, in their efforts to cover-up, have irreparably damaged their image and the overall image of YMCA. This action to close Page Mill, to silence and ignore the helpless is an example of human greed that has gone too far unchecked.
Page Mill Members and Community –
CONTINUE YOUR ACTION TO KEEP THE PAGE MILL COMMUNITY THRIVING. YOU WILL SUCCEED.
Please, Please, Please do not close this facility. It is an important part of my life. I attended another Y in Palo Alto for 10 years and when I went to the Y one day and saw it was closed for its annual cleaning I decided to go over and see what the other Y was like. It has been a wonderful place for me for the past 3 years. In the beginning I went every day but now I try never to miss my Monday – Wednesday , 5-6 PM class with one of your previous board members: Diane Christensen. She is fantastic and in my mind non-replaceable. Please reconsider your decision. Gee Gee
If you are a Page Mill member don’t give up your membership or switch it to another Y before December 31. YMCASV apparently has plenty of money to burn. They will be paying the membership fees for PM members Oct. 1 through Dec. 1. Rough calculations estimate to be that buyout amount to be about $45,000.00 per month x 3 equals $135,000.
Information from the Board indicated that a modest estimate of the cost to YMCASV to shut down the Page Mill Y with severance packages, attorney fees, reconfiguring the Ross Road parking lot, seeking permission from the City of Palo Alto for increased usage at Ross Road, dealing with neighbor complaints from Ross Road will exceed $300,000.
Kathy and Elizabeth, We question your leadership when you can afford to waste $300,000.00 to shut us down.
Dear Kathy & Elizabeth, WHY are you still keeping our donations? You should return our donations so we can use it as intended: for the immediate community at Page Mill. The reason no discussion nor communication was given to members was that the community would have quickly organized to continue Page Mill as a gym WITH OR WITHOUT YMCA Silicon Valley.
Isn’t this clear? It’s NOT ENOUGH for YMCA SV to close down Page Mill. They will intentionally destroy it as well as any chance for the survival of the gym.
AT THE MEETING, FORMALLY CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF KATHY & ELIZABETH.
It is time for strategies to keep Page Mill open as a gym without YMCA SV.
Lies. Deception. Fraud. Theft. Cover-Ups. Intimidation. Manipulation. Intent to Defraud.
This is the new face of YMCA Silicon Valley. Page Mill was the last bastion of true YMCA values within a disgustingly corrupt Executive environment.