Kearney YMCA will have 24/7 access starting in March

KEARNEY, Neb. - A south-central Nebraska gym is making the move to 24/7 access after wanting to do so for several years. 

Monday is the first day members at the Kearney Family YMCA can sign up for 24/7 access in preparation for its March 1st starting date. 

YMCA employees say this change requires members to be at least 18 years old to use the facility after-hours, in addition to paying $10 a month for the special access. 

YMCA training instructor Avery McMichael said the extended hours have been something that a lot people have been asking for.

"We’ve been doing a lot of surveys and questionnaires asking members ‘what can we do to accommodate you better?’ And 24 hours has been a golden thing for a lot of people so we’ve been working hard to implement that and it’s a nice perk to have,” said McMichael.

She added that a pilot group has been working out the kinks with the new system to ensure everything is in order next month. 

Marketing and Membership Director Dillon Nelson said the building is under 24-hour video surveillance and a $50 fine will be implemented for users if they bring non-members into the facility after-hours.

He said that rule is for consistency for all members and also added safety for when employees aren't in the space. 

Regular hours end at 10 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 9 p.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on the Weekends.