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Twenty-nine years after first opening its doors, the James J. Buquet Jr. Bayouland YMCA continues to make strides in serving the community’s fitness and recreational needs.
“We’ve been able to reach so many people that we are outgrowing this facility,” said Peggy Johnson, the organization’s Risk Management/Human Resource director. “And that’s a good thing. We continue thinking of new, innovative ideas that the community might be interested in participating in.”
Johnson has been with the Bayouland YMCA since 1984. She’s witnessed the transformation of the agency from a one-sport program to what it is today.
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) brought its concept – putting Christian principles into practice to help develop a healthy mind, body and spirit – to Houma in 1980.
Johnson said the organization was headquartered out of a trailer across from the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. At that time, the YMCA only offered a soccer program.
Gradually, more programs were added, Johnson said. However, with no facility to house them, the YMCA used gymnasiums in the Tri-parish area. She said the Ramada Inn hotel served as a lifeguard-training site.
When the Valhi Boulevard building opened in 1984, all of the programs were moved to that one site. Since then, the local YMCA has become a leader in fitness and recreational industry.
YMCA CEO Angi Falgout said the facility is a large step above a gym/fitness center.
She explained that many gyms are privately owned and cater to weight training and cardio workout activities. But, a YMCA has much more to offer the community, she said.
“The YMCA benefits a lot of people because it is a family-oriented atmosphere,” she said. “It’s the social aspect. People want reassurance that they have a facility that will allow them to engage in activities for the whole family.”
The YMCA offers a variety of programs for all ages that includes swimming lessons, aquatics activities, sports and health and fitness programs. It also offers certification courses in babysitting and CPR.
Adult sports include flag football and volleyball. Youth sports includes cheerleading, soccer, flag football, basketball and baseball/T-ball.
YMCA sports are non-competitive. Falgout explained that the program is geared toward teaching children the moral values of sportsmanship, fundamentals and teamwork.
Other activities that are youth oriented include an after-school kids’ club and summer and holiday day camps.
The after-school program is for children ages 4-12. Falgout said the YMCA has a partnership with some of the schools in the Terrebonne Parish to bus the children to the site after school. Southdown Elementary, Mulberry Elementary, Houma Christian, and St. Francis Catholic are the schools that utilize the service the most, she said.
The YMCA also has child care options for adults in need of a babysitter for their children while they utilize the facility. Falgout said the daycare is available to children 6 weeks old to school age. It is free for members. However, children can’t stay in the daycare more than two hours.
Running a large entity like the YMCA is a challenge for anyone, but Falgout said she values her job and the experience she gains daily.
“I enjoy coming to work. It’s never a dull or boring moment here,” she said. “I am fortunate that I don’t have to sit down at a desk all day, I can go out and meet the people and share in their experiences at the YMCA.”
But, she does have to remember that it is a business, first and foremost. The YMCA garners revenue through its memberships and community contributions. The CEO said the organization hosts fundraisers to raise money to keep the membership at an affordable price for users.
“We have touched so many different people,” Falgout said. “We have programs for adults, the elderly and children.”
The Bayouland YMCA employs close to 50 people throughout the year, and increases to nearly 90 employees during the summer months to handle the influx of children, teens and adults that utilize the facility.
“The hiring process works with the financial status of the facility,” she said.
“The more members were have, the more workers we have. We offer nearly 14 different memberships to entice people to come and join the YMCA.”
David Breerwood, a student at Vandebilt Catholic High School, stays in shape at the YMCA in Houma. Bayouland YMCA offers a diverse, family-oriented program selection. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
