STILLWATER, Okla. — The Stillwater YMCA will celebrate a new national name and logo this weekend.

Open house is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. All day Saturday, non-members and members can use the facility free. Tours, activities for adults and children, fitness classes and the pool will be available. Membership discounts will be offered all day.

The non-profit organization’s new name is simply the “Y” now, and the classic black and red sharp-edged logo is replaced with a orange and teal soft-edged one.

The changes were made after more than two years of analysis and research. Josh Wiggins, membership director of the Stillwater Family YMCA, said the name was changed to reflect how people most commonly refer to the organization. He said that the changes in no way affect the Christian values on which the organization is based.

“We have not changed anything about who we are,” membership director Josh Wiggins said.

The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the sixth since its inception.

“The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves,” says a statement issued by the national organization. “The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress.”

Wiggins said the changes reflect that the organization is more than an athletic facility but also a nonprofit organization for the community’s benefit.

“The Stillwater Family YMCA is truly excited about the new brand strategy and the opportunity to engage more people in the areas of healthy living, social responsibility and youth development,” Wiggins said. “There are many exciting changes taking place at the YMCA – we are building momentum, and this strategy is getting everyone from our volunteers to our members and donors very excited.”

Next month the Stillwater facility will install new pool filters, which haven’t been replaced in 30 years. Next year, the entire bottom of the pool will be replaced, Wiggins said.

“Sure, we don’t have the best facility, but it means a lot more, and your dollar goes a lot further with us,” he said. “Hopefully in the long run we can get a better facility ... We’re just trying to get the community aware of us working toward that.”

Visitors Saturday can try ballet, ZUMBA, water aerobics, pilates, go swimming or visit the dunk tank.

“This is a very important, exciting time for the Y,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA.  “For 160 years, we’ve focused on changing lives for the better.  Our commitment to building greater awareness for the important work we do will enable us to expand our efforts and further strengthen communities across the country.”

The Stillwater Y is at 204 S. Duck St. Call 405-372-5833 for information.



Y Open House

204 S. Duck

Saturday:

10 a.m.    Doors open

10:15 a.m. – 11 a.m.    Basic Ballet

11 a.m. – noon    Beginning Ballet

11 a.m.– 11:50 a.m.    Silver Sneakers

Noon – 1 p.m.    ZUMBA

Noon – 3 p.m.    Dunk Tank Open

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.  Water Aerobics

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.    Games in the Gym

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.    Pilates

3 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.  Penny Swim

3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Polar Bear Swim