River Crossing YMCA celebrated the reopening of its renovated wellness center at the Easton-Phillipsburg branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, welcoming members to the facility at 1225 W Lafayette St. after nearly three weeks of improvements.
The center, which closed Feb. 2 for renovation and equipment installation, now features new floors, freshly painted walls, reconfigured workout spaces, and an expanded free weight area. The facility also includes a turfed training area and new cardio and strength-building equipment, including treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, stair climbers, and weight-training machines.
Agnes Rawson, who works out every morning at the Easton branch, praised the upgrades.
“Everything is so lovely,” Rawson said. “I tried the new crunch machine and the new treadmill with the steep incline. I’ve been talking with my friends, and they love it too. It’s all gorgeous and state-of-the-art. Everyone who comes in is going to love it.”
Crystal Messer, the YMCA’s vice president of operations for the Lehigh Valley region, was joined by colleagues, volunteers, community leaders, and elected officials for the ceremony. State Rep. Bob Freeman, Easton Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone, and Marek Tomanek, deputy director of Northampton County Community and Economic Development, attended to show their support.
Pintabone shared his personal connection to the organization, recalling learning to swim when the Easton Y was located downtown and working part-time in the wellness center as a freshman at Northampton Community College.
“I want to thank all of you for what you do for the people of Easton and Phillipsburg, and congratulate you on this beautiful new wellness center,” he said.
Easton Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone used to work at the Easton YMCA as a teen. He congratulates the River Crossing YMCA on Feb. 16, 2026, on the renovation of the branch’s wellness center.Courtesy of River Crossing YMCA
After the ribbon-cutting, members and guests explored the facility, with trained staff providing guidance and answering questions. Y members have exclusive access to the wellness center through the end of the week.
Beginning Monday, Feb. 23, anyone may try the Y for free through Mar. 1 at any River Crossing YMCA branch in Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, and Hunterdon counties. New members who sign up by Mar. 8 pay no join fee.
“A newly refreshed YMCA wellness center offers everyone a fresh start, and we look forward to having you,” Messer said.
The Easton/Phillipsburg Branch of the River Crossing YMCA offers fitness programs, aquatic facilities and child care services for area residents.
Amenities include a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and full-court gymnasium. The wellness center features equipment and weightlifting stations, while additional facilities include a racquetball court, indoor track, dance studio and spin studio.
River Crossing YMCA is a charitable nonprofit organization that serves over 142,000 members and participants annually at 12 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations, and 44 school-age child care programs.
The organization provides over $12 million in community impact annually through financial assistance and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults, and others.
Chris Moore, right, senior director of fitness equipment experience for River Crossing YMCA, helps a member navigate the on-screen settings of a newly installed treadmill at the Easton branch of the YMCA.Courtesy of River Crossing YMCA
