Heidi Manchester, a New Tampa Y member for 20 years, gets ready for stretch class.
It’s hard to believe the New Tampa Family YMCA opened its doors at 16221 Compton Drive in Tampa 20 years ago.
“We moved in ‘99 to Florida and as I was driving up and down Bruce B. Downs Blvd. I kept seeing the colorful signs (for the YMCA) and I lived in Michigan and I went to the YMCA there,” says Heidi Manchester.
So, Heidi joined. Throughout the years, she tried different classes like Zumba. She touts the wonderful teachers.
“I hated lunges and squats but then I had major surgery. I had to learn to walk again and I wrote the teacher a note saying how grateful I was for the squats and lunges otherwise I couldn’t have gotten off the toilet,” she laughs.
But now she just attends stretch class.
“The classes are good and the people are wonderful and I’ve just made the best of friends here, so even during Covid I didn’t come but I continued with my payment because I’m very fond of the Y,” Heidi says. “It gave me a lot so I wanted to give a little back.”
August 18 was the official 20th anniversary date. The New Tampa Y celebrated with a weeklong celebration with decorations, T-shirts, giveaways each day and a cake.
Over its 20-year history, the New Tampa Y has become known for its Olympic-size pool. It’s also had some recent upgrades including a new cycle studio, renovated and new group fitness rooms and a new training room.