Greater Lowell Y Shares Plans for Tewksbury Recreation Program

Meeting at Town Hall attended by leaders of Tewksbury Families for Recreation

Staff from the Greater Lowell YMCA joined Town Manager Richard Montuori and other town officials as well as the board of the Tewksbury Families for Recreation (TFR) group on Tuesday at Town Hall to outline plans for programming based out of the recreation center building on Livingston St. The Greater Lowell Y, which is a nonprofit, covers 13 towns in its service area, including Tewksbury.

The YMCA will attend the Select Board meeting on April 9 seeking signoff on the plans presented.

The Y is looking to launch a pilot program as soon as possible. Montuori has already had work done on the rec building, including painting and clearing out unneeded furnishings, and there is funding for windows and other updates. For adults, programming will be around health and fitness classes, such as yoga. For children, watch for sports including basketball, soccer, and karate but also creative and visual arts, dance, toddler classes and Pokemon and Lego groups. There is a focus on inclusive and individualized programming to accommodate as many children as possible.

One option expected to be in high demand is a summer camp program at Livingston. While initial plans are to accommodate 30 children, Randle Cassady, senior program manager with the Y, said that if there is a significant waiting list, enrollment may be expanded. Campers will have access to all facilities, including the splash pad.

Hosting the camp at Livingston will not affect access by the public. The Y will also work around events that use the area, such as July 4, voting and the community market.

“I already have instructors and curriculum in place, so it’s easy to get something going here in spring,” said Cassady. Most programs are on a seven-week schedule. He plans to work to collect data on demand, especially in light of fall sports, to shape programming beyond the spring and summer.

Details on how to sign up are still being worked out. Tewksbury residents will receive priority registration for two weeks. Any remaining spots will open up to YMCA members from any town in the service area. Financial aid is available from the Y through its People Helping People program and is based on family income.

Kate Bugda Gwilt, Jennifer Dillon, Stephanie Giangregorio Breaker and Mary Hesson-Goon represented TFR and presented data on a survey of about 800 residents.

“It’s heartening to see Tewksbury’s commitment to enhancing recreational opportunities for its residents through collaboration with the YMCA,” said Dillon. “The prospect of an outdoor summer camp at the rec center, with priority given to Tewksbury families, is a great step in the right direction.”

Montuori stressed that the programming will start slowly and ramp up as demand materializes. And, Chess Wizards of Illinois, which offers chess enrichment programs to children 5 through 12, is also set to offer classes in various town-owned facilities, possibly starting in April and with a chess camp in the summer.

“Beyond the summer camp, the YMCA’s plans to offer a plethora of recreational programs for residents of all ages are commendable,” Dillon added. “While understanding endeavors like this take time to evolve and flourish, we embrace this opportunity with optimism. We want to ensure these initiatives truly serve the diverse needs of Tewksbury families.”

Hesson-Goon called out tremendous progress in a relatively short amount of time and pointed out that those diverse needs include children with disabilities.

“I feel confident the town leadership will expand on this programming and will eventually include larger scale year-round programs and a central hub to register for recreation programs,” she said. “I also hope that our recreation will include programs for our handicapped and neurodiverse individuals in the future. As a mother of a school-age child and a toddler, I look forward to signing them up for programs in town and getting us more integrated in our community.”

Cassady said a Y staff member is working on her Master’s in Special Education, and he is working with DDS and Seven Hills on developing inclusive programs.

Montuori said the Y has done walk-throughs of the Trahan and North St. school buildings, but the high cost to renovate either one made the existing recreation center a better option, for now at least.

Giangregorio Breaker expressed her belief that the town is moving in the right direction.

“We, TFR, are confident the YMCA can make this happen for Tewksbury,” she said. “The YMCA already has programs in place they can easily utilize in Tewksbury, and some they will have to adjust due to what our accommodations allow. As a mother of two school aged children, I’m excited for what’s to come and will advocate for what Tewksbury families are looking for in a recreation program.”

The TFR group is in the process of establishing itself as a 501(c)(3) to be called Friends of Tewksbury Recreation, to raise funds to support the town’s recreational efforts and, eventually, help cover registration costs for families. The group is also calling for a full-time staff position.

“We’re very optimistic about the YMCA programs starting in Tewksbury,” said Bugda Gwilt. “We hope the town’s concerns regarding community interest will be alleviated once registration opens. We are also advocating for the appointment of a town-centric recreation director or coordinator.”

Bugda Gwilt asks residents to please make sure to attend the upcoming Select Board meeting, where they can ask questions and hear more detail, and to plan on attending Town Meeting on May 6 and May 8 to support recreation, as there will be a number of warrant articles of interest to families.

“This is a crucial opportunity to ensure your voice is heard and your comments are officially recorded,” said Bugda Gwilt. “We’re also in the process of gathering registration information to feature on our website for existing town events. Looking ahead, we’ll need help with advertising and promoting new events, as well as organizing an introductory meeting and exploring fundraising opportunities. Stay tuned for more updates as the board finalizes the foundation’s setup.”

If you have an event to share or want more information, you can reach TFR at tewksburyforrecreation@gmail.com.