The Ithaca Y held a press conference Tuesday to announce a major renovation to its weight room.  A major donation from Borg Warner Morse TEC has made possible a 1400 square foot gymnasium addition that will feature 'Functional Training Equipment'.  The Borg Warner Functional Training Center will feature new equipment will facilitate groups of 6 to 12 people of diverse ages and abilities training at a time with an instructor.

"Youth, seniors and women can participate in a weight room setting without the stigma that goes along with it," said Ithaca Y CEO Frank Towner.  "We can train larger groups of people at a time. That will lend a more welcoming atmosphere to our overall facility.  Combining the gym, this room and we're going to have a divider in the gym soon that will allow us to offer more programming in a diverse way."

Towner recognized Borg Warner, Tetra Tech and Advantage for making the new facility possible.  Borg Warner is providing the principal funding.  Tetra Tech donated engineering services to remove a large wall, creating a significant space to house the training equipment from two rooms, one of which was formally used for storage.  Advantage is providing the equipment at reduced prices.

"We've been a partner with the Y for some time," said Borg Warner Plant Manager Dave Anderson.  "You're involving all age groups.  You're trying to make it easy for people, not intimidating.  That's the kind of thing we like to contribute to -- things that last a long time and are open to the broader community."

Advantage Sport and Fitness President John Murray said that 'functional fitness' is a new concept that has emerged over the past half dozen years.  He explained that it relates more to every day movement.  The key piece of equipment will be an Octagon, a steel structure that provides all-body conditioning in group sessions developed by a Peterborough, England company called Escape Fitness.  Representatives from the company trained Y staff on the equipment last week.  Murray noted that the Ithaca Y is the first to install an Escape Fitness Functional Fitness Room.

"When I came to this position three years ago we wanted to do something different," said Towner.  "The Y's weight room hadn't been touched for 14 years.  John Murray helped facilitate the growth of the cardio room, and he approached us with an idea.  It went on the back burner because it wasn't possible within our budget at that time."

The Octagon is configurable.  The one at the Y will include a heavy bag, an 'endless rope', monkey bars, and a variety of other features.  Murray said that up to 16 people can train at one time.  He said that the equipment at the Y will be inviting to all ages.

"We've tried to create an environment here where the staff can conduct group training sessions for all people in the community," he said.  "Eventually they will be able to offer programs for kids and older adults."


The Tuesday press conference was in a big empty room.  The floor was laid the next day, and Towner said he expects the room will be open for business as soon as next Monday.

The Y also kicked off it's annual fund raising campaign Tuesday at the Ithaca Country Club.

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