November 9, 2007, Manchester, NH— The law firm of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A., with offices in Manchester, Portsmouth, and Concord, is pleased to announce that the Greater Manchester Family YMCA’s Anthem/McLane Family Fitness Center was officially dedicated yesterday.
The centerpiece of the Downtown YMCA’s $1,000,000 improvement project, the 6,000 square foot fitness facility provides state of the art fitness equipment and quality instruction. Renovation highlights include: new Nautilus and free weight equipment, new cardio equipment, new flat screen TVs and Cardio Theater, improved lighting, acoustics and HVAC, and renovated locker rooms.
“With the increase in childhood obesity and the long term health risks associated with lack of exercise, family fitness centers and youth gyms like the Greater Manchester Family YMCA offers create opportunities for families to exercise together,” said Hal Jordan, the YMCA’s President/CEO.
Since the facility opened one year ago, over 1,000 new youth and family members have joined the YMCA. In addition to YMCA members, special programs to combat childhood obesity are also offered in collaboration with area hospitals.
“This sponsorship represents a partnership between our organizations that share in the ideals of supporting both family togetherness and a healthy lifestyle,” said Michael McCluskey, McLane’s Executive Director. The firm has been an active contributor to the YMCA for more than 30 years. Bill Zorn, chair of McLane’s Trusts and Estate Planning department currently serves as co-chair of the YMCA’s capital campaign.
Left to right: Lisa Guertin – President Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NH, Patrick McGee, Chair, YMCA Board of Trustees, Harold Jordan, President/CEO, Greater Manchester Family YMCA and Mike McCluskey – McLane Executive Director.
About the Greater Manchester YMCA
The Manchester YMCA was founded in 1854. For the first 55 years, the Y offered Bible-study classes and educational programs for young men working in the mills in rented space where Hampshire Plaza is currently located. In 1909, a capital campaign funded building the facility at 30 Mechanic Street—providing residences for single men, the first indoor pool in the state, a gymnasium with a running track, swim classes, gymnastics, weight training, and teen programs. In the 1920s, the Y shifted its attention to pioneering the physical fitness movement, eventually offering the largest aerobics program in New England. In 1962, the East Gym and a new four-lane pool were added. The Manchester YMCA opened to women in 1976, pioneering a high-quality day care program. Within the next ten years, they opened the Carpenter Gym and adult locker rooms, and closed the residences. But it wasn’t until 1990 that the Y changed its strategic direction from adult fitness to youth and family services. Over the last decade, membership statistics changed from 70 percent adults to 70 percent youth and families. Now the Manchester YMCA is the area’s largest provider of child care programs, youth sports, and aquatics.
About the McLane Law Firm
Founded in 1919, the McLane Law Firm is the largest full-service law firm in the state of New Hampshire, with offices in Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth. Driven by the firm’s depth of sophisticated legal expertise and an unwavering commitment to client service, McLane has built collaborative and lasting relationships with a broad spectrum of domestic and international clients.