Boothbay Region YMCA will remained closed at least through April 8. Executive Director Andy Hamblett made the announcement through a March 26 letter sent to the membership. During the closure, Y staff are providing limited day care service, extensively cleaning the facility, disinfecting equipment and completing maintenance work. The Healthy Living Staff is also working with Boothbay Region Television to provide exercise video classes. The Y-Arts director is staying in contact with students through social media to keep them engaged with programs, according to Hamblett’s letter. The membership team is making welfare check calls to local seniors. 

Hamblett also urged members to continue their support of Y programs. “This is a challenging and rapidly changing situation for all of us,” Hamblett wrote. “To make sure we are able to pay as many staff members we ask you to consider continuing your memberships through the extended closure. We understand you also may be going through a personal hardship during this crisis, and that if the case, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our member engagement director.”

Hamblett indicated the extended closure was to prevent spreading of the COVID-19 virus and is based on pending recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and state and local health officials.