A rural Maine YMCA is closing

DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — The Piscataquis Regional YMCA board of directors has announced that the YMCA operations at 48 Park St. in Dover-Foxcroft will be closing no later than Nov. 1. The announcement was made in a Friday post on the Old Town Orono YMCA Facebook page .

In July 2022, an announcement was made that the board of directors for the two organizations formally voted to integrate as one organization. For almost two years prior, the Old Town Orono YMCA had been providing leadership to the Piscataquis Regional YMCA through a temporary management agreement. A task force consisting of board members from both organizations met regularly to assess and analyze the progress. Since then, the Piscataquis YMCA operated as a branch of the Old Town Orono YMCA.

The Facebook post said aftereffects of the pandemic, reduction in memberships, programming and declining public funds proved to be a combination of obstacles too great for the Piscataquis YMCA to continue operations. As a result of the declining revenues and escalating expenses, it was a clear decision that operations were financially unsustainable.

The directors thanked all members, donors and employees for their devoted sponsorship of the YMCA over the years. They also thanked the communities they have served since 1988.

The pool will shut down immediately and other services will be closing over the coming weeks. Members are encouraged to explore alternative wellness facilities in the area. All memberships and programming will be prorated and refunded. Membership dues will not be drafted on or after Nov. 1. All memberships will be honored at the Old Town Orono YMCA, which the post said is a thriving YMCA in the State of Maine with a large membership base and multiple programming opportunities.