Mericle Family YMCA, Hazleton Branch Open for Business
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jason Minnick
Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA
570-764-0294
Jason.Minnick@wvymca.org
HAZLETON, PA (Wednesday, July 29) - The Mericle Family YMCA, the Hazleton Branch of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at 11 a.m. to ceremoniously open the facility. The Y will officially open to the public with an open house Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rob Mericle, who along with his family has contributed more than $6 million toward the $10 million-plus renovation of the Mericle Family YMCA, reflected on what the reopening means to him.
"Growing up, I spent nearly every day at the Wilkes-Barre Y, swimming or playing basketball until the lights went out. The Y shaped my childhood in ways for which I'm still grateful. Watching this building go vacant in 2019 pained us immensely. I knew then that Hazleton families deserved the same kind of place. My family was determined to make sure this project got done because a revitalized Hazleton Y has the power to strengthen this community for generations.”
Forced to cease operations in 2019 due to financial reasons, the Hazleton YWCA completed a merger with the GWVA YMCA in 2024 and began plans to reopen under new leadership. Many generations of Hazleton residents have come forward since, sharing fond memories of time spent at the Hazleton YWCA, learning to swim, playing basketball and sharing time with members of the community. Generous supporters stepped forward and have provided the more than $10M in funding necessary to reestablish a YMCA in the Hazleton community. Those donors include:
Rob and Kim Mericle
Robert J. Mericle
Kelly Mericle Gregory
Katelyn Hoxha
Kristen Mericle
Mericle Commercial Real Estate
Mericle Foundation
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Pasco L. Schiavo Fund of Luzerne Foundation
First Federal Charitable Foundation
DHD Realty
Thomas and Anne Marie Kennedy
Moses Taylor Foundation
Megan Kennedy
Jacobi Capital Management
Peoples Security Bank Trust
M&T Bank
Wayne Bank
Fidelity Bank
Hayden Power Group
3kr3, LLC
Mid Penn Bank
Security Savings Fund of Luzerne Foundation
American Eagle Outfitters
The Greenlight Project
The GWVA YMCA would also like to convey a special thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Senator David Argall, Representative Dane Watro, the City of Hazleton and Mayor Jeff Cusat and the Hazleton YMCA Advisory Board.
Funds from these donations led to the renovations and opening of the Pasco L. Schiavo Early Learning Center in March of 2025. The center has offered a vital service to the Hazleton community ever since. The Pasco L. Schiavo ELC has been near full capacity for over a year and earned a Keystone Star 4 Rating - the highest quality classification in Pennsylvania's Quality Rating and Improvement System for early childhood education. Completion of the center was the first of three phases of renovations completed at the Mericle Family Center.
Phase two reopened today. It included the restoration of the pool, gymnasium and membership features of a traditional YMCA.
The first members of the new Hazleton YMCA have already joined via the nonprofit’s Early Bird Special and will enjoy access to facility ahead of time, beginning tomorrow, July 30-31.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY
The Greater Hazleton Area YMCA and Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA are non-profit, charitable organizations turning no one away for inability to pay. The YMCA awards financial assistance to children, adults, and families in need across our communities in northeastern Pennsylvania. Those who share a passion for healthy living may join in supporting this cause by donating to the YMCA.
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