Membership is back at The Shaw JCC, just in time for pool season
By Mary Malik
The team at The Shaw JCC of Akron is looking forward to Saturday, May 29, when they open the outdoor pool and kick off the center’s summer activities.
“After having to cancel last year due to Covid-19, summer memberships are back,” says Membership Director Brenda Hite. “We’ve been on a rolling opening since June of 2020 and are almost completely open with masks and social distancing in place. We’re thrilled to continue to be a safe gathering place for our members.”
Closing their doors went against the JCC’s mission of being available every day to educate, inspire and care for the community. Now they are back offering yoga, spinning, personal training, massage therapy, childcare, 10 weeks of summer camps, including specialty camps that feature STEM, sports and arts, and all of the other activities and services the JCC provides for its members.
“These are all of the tangibles at the JCC,” says Marketing Director Shannon French. “But our members know that it’s the intangibles here that everyone missed the most. When people came back they didn’t say, ‘I missed your treadmills.’ They talked about how they missed the people…the community we’ve built here. It’s a network of people who care, where members feel safe and accepted.”
Shaw JCC members describe the atmosphere here as being part of something larger than themselves. And you don’t get that working out in your basement.
“We are a one-stop shop in that we have the award-winning Mandel ECE (Early Childhood Education Center), that serves infants through four-year-olds, all the way through to our extensive senior programming,” says Brenda. “The Lippman School, an independent K-8 institution, is also on the grounds of The Shaw JCC. We see every day what the JCC means to our families. Many have been coming here for generations. It’s so much more than exercising.”
Fitness is one focus of the JCC, and classes and personal training sessions are available both in person and virtually. This summer, even more classes will take place outdoors.
“Our goal is to make everyone comfortable,” says Shannon. “With the ‘My J’ app, they can reserve class spaces, swim lanes, see outdoor pool capacity live and find everything they need to plan their visit. This ensures people will have a spot when they get here.”
Shannon and Brenda want to remind everyone that summer JCC members have access to all programs and facilities. And that’s quite a list.
For everyone who loves the JCC, nothing says home like a day in the sun at The Shaw JCC outdoor pool. The outdoor pool is over 6,000 square feet and has plenty of space for family fun and swimming. Efrat’s Café serves delicious summer treats and the diving board and slides are a family favorite. The Shaw JCC is also taking precautions to make your pool day safe. Join now with a summer membership or a year-long facility membership to take advantage of the outdoor fun.
“Whether it’s the pool, summer camp, ECE, or one of the many classes, membership at The Shaw JCC creates memories for a lifetime. After all, we’re family here,” says Brenda.
The Shaw JCC is located at 750 White Pond Drive, in Akron. For membership information and a complete list of programs and activities, check the website at ShawJCC.org, call 330-867-7850, or contact the membership director at 330-835-0049 or bhite@shawjcc.org. Summer pool hours are 11:00 a.m.-7:45 p.m. every day. Lap swim is available on weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday nights from 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m.