Following Storms, Newtown Power Out & Schools Closed; NYA Sports & Fitness Center Opens Doors
Industry: Sports
Local sports facility provides food, shelter, and children’s activities for displaced residents after unusual weather
Newtown, Connecticut (PRUnderground) May 29th, 2018
Strong storms and tornadoes blew through southwest Connecticut on Tuesday, May 15, leaving Newtown and surrounding communities without power for several days. At its peak, there were more than 120,000 homes and businesses without power and as a result, Newtown schools were closed for the better part of a week. In response to the community need, the SFM-managed Newtown Youth Academy (NYA) Sports & Fitness Center opened its doors to provide hot showers, free wi-fi, power, and a place to congregate safely.
“We saw the community in need and there was no question we had to help any way we could”, says Executive Director and General Manager, Ian Yorty. “Our staff was incredible and helpful to our local residents in need, and I couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and work effort.”
Members and residents were all very appreciative of the services NYA provided. Longtime NYA member Susan Pease said, “It has been a tremendous help to have a place where we can go to get a cup of coffee, use the internet, and get power. It’s so heartening to know that in the wake of such a widespread weather disaster, facilities like NYA have the capability to provide comfort and services to people in the community who need them.”
The NYA Sports & Fitness staff didn’t stop there. With both school and power out, there were a lot of children with nothing to do and parents who needed to get back to work. The NYA team quickly put together three days of camps where kids participated in a range of sports and activities, were served lunch, and had a blast expending energy with friends and peers. There were over 100 kids participating in the camps each day. Additionally, for kids on the local sports team, NYA donated space to the Southwest Conference of Connecticut Athletic Directors to be able to hold an emergency meeting on Friday, May 18th to work on playoff scenarios for the spring sports teams.
NYA Sports & Fitness plans to continue to assist the community by keeping their doors open to those in need during tough times and will always serve the community by providing a safe haven for sports, fitness, and fun.
About Newtown Youth Academy Sports & Fitness Center
NYA Sports & Fitness Center offers something for everyone. From camps and programs to fitness classes for both kids and adults, their staff prides themselves on being the central hub of the community through fitness and wellness. To learn more about NYA Sports & Fitness or to inquire about membership, please visit www.nyasportsfitness.com.
