Local YMCA spruces up

The Conejo Valley YMCA received a spruce up last month when the facility shut down for a week for repairs and upgrades. More than 20 volunteers, including YMCA staff, community members and CLU students, helped during the week. Improvements included replacing the flooring in locker rooms, repaving the parking lot, painting the lobby and installing new shades, according to Janelle Achenbach, membership and fitness director.

"We also put new mirrors in our fitness center and upgraded the bathrooms in the activity center," she said.

Jandy Pool Systems donated a new pool heater and a saltwater system for the Y's therapy pool and two new digital heaters for the lap pool. Other local companies, including Clean as Can Bee Janitorial Services, Andrews Construction and Mike Morgan Painting, also offered their services.

The YMCA closes one week each year. During the shutdown, staff drains and cleans the pool and adds fresh water.

"Projects are mostly chosen by staff and input from members," said Achenbach. "We have a very well-used facility. This year, for example, our members told us that the locker rooms and parking lots needed the most work. For big projects, we hire professional contractors to do the work, but we always rely heavily on volunteers to help with the little jobs that we can never seem to get done while the facility is in use. We thank everyone who helped out."