Do you have questions? This page contains answers to some frequently asked questions.

If I am a member at one branch of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, is my membership good at the other Y branch?
YES!  A La Crosse Area Family YMCA membership enables you to use both YMCA facilities in the Greater La Crosse Area.

I would like to join the YMCA, but I cannot afford the membership fees. Do you offer financial assistance?
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA offers quality, affordable programs and services that are designed to benefit people of all incomes and backgrounds. The YMCA’s annual Strong Kids campaign generates generous and essential contributions from YMCA members, employees, individuals, and corporations. This assistance provided by the community assures that no one is turned away from the La Crosse Area Family YMCA due to an inability to pay the membership fee. Financial assistance is available to qualifying individuals within the YMCA’s available resources.

What are the names of the two full-facility branches of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA? YMCA-La Crosse and the YMCA-North (in Onalaska)

Will my YMCA membership fee ever increase?
The La Crosse Area Family Y is proud to state that it has only raised membership rates twice in the last 12 years. The La Crosse Area Family YMCA makes a strong commitment to try and keep membership cost as economical as possible for families, youth and adults. Any membership fee increase will be minimal compared to the quality and value of services being extended to Y members. La Crosse Area Family Y members will have facilities to use and enjoy at the YMCA-La Crosse and YMCA-North.

Can I join the Y as a single facility user? (i.e. Become a member of one facility at a reduced fee.)
When you join the La Crosse Area Family YMCA, you become a member of our association of YMCA’s. This allows you facility access at all branches and programs and services throughout all of the Greater La Crosse Area.

Is childcare available at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA?
Drop-in Childcare (newborn – 6 years of age) will be scheduled and available in our “Childwatch” centers and is included at no charge for all Family memberships. This is a member service while you are working out or in a program. A program fee will be assessed for childwatch privileges for other Y memberships.

What are the hours of operation at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA?
First Tuesday after Labor Day through First Monday in May:
Monday – Friday, 5am – 10pm, Saturday, 6:30am – 8pm, Sunday, 9am – 6:30pm
First Monday in May through Tuesday after Labor Day:
Monday – Friday, 5am –10pm, Saturday, 6:30am – 4pm, Sunday, 9pm – 3:00pm

Will there be extra fees to use certain parts of the YMCA facility?
Your YMCA membership gives you access to the whole YMCA facility during scheduled days and times.

Will there be fees for programs and classes, such as swimming lessons, fitness classes, or personal training?
YMCA member benefits include use of all our facilities and almost every one of our land group exercise classes at no additional charge.  Members also receive a special member rate for all additional programs the YMCA offers.  Please refer to the Member & Program Brochure for specific details related to program fees and all member benefits.

Where does my membership fee go?
Membership fees cover the costs incurred for ensuring that your YMCA is able to offer you a quality facility with quality programs and services. Those costs include staffing, maintenance, operations, and equipment.

Where did the money for the YMCA-North facility and YMCA-La Crosse renovations come from?
Dollars to fund the construction of the YMCA-North and YMCA-La Crosse renovations came from charitable contributions. While you are not paying for the construction and renovations, you will benefit from them because your membership allows use of either La Crosse Area Family YMCA membership branch.

Is the money I pay used only at my branch?
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is an association of YMCAs. As such, our organization operates as a single entity which allows us to maximize efficiency and resources, ensuring that each of our branches remains strong to meet the needs of the community.

What types of operating costs does the membership rate cover?
The main operating expense covered by the membership fee is staffing expenses. Hiring and retaining quality staff in today's competitive job market is increasingly expensive. In addition, the very nature of YMCA facilities, programs, and services is staff-intensive, from those who staff the Member Services Desk staff when members walk through the door, to lifeguards in the aquatic center, to facility maintenance staff, and beyond. The quality of each YMCA experience is depend­ent on all the different staff members. In addition, the YMCA is not unaffected by increases in gas and electricity costs. Increased energy expenses impact our operating budget. But as responsible stewards, in all cases, we monitor expenses closely.

Why don't you offer couple rates?
We consider our rates fair and affordable for a broad cross-section of the community, regardless of age.  Across the YMCA movement, a family is defined as a husband and wife (and their children – if they have any.)  Since there may be people in any age group and any family type who desire to participate in YMCA membership but are unable to afford it, we offer scholarships on an individual basis, rather than offering a discount to an entire age group or type of family.

Why isn't the difference between the family rate and the individual rate greater?
The YMCA is an organization dedicated to building strength for everyone. Due to the community's needs, we focus specially on youths and families by ensuring that our fees remain affordable to a broad cross-section of these two groups.

I already give to the scholarship fund at the YMCA.  How does that money differ from my membership dollars?
Financial assistance dollars are people dollars—funds used to support people directly through membership and program scholarships or indirectly by underwriting critical programs—particularly for youth—that are not self-supporting.

Am I paying for all the new improvements I see around the Y?
A portion of membership fees are used for routine maintenance to ensure the quality of the facility. While some of your fee is also used to fund improvements, a good portion of the improvements are funded with donated dollars appropriated for that purpose.

Why can't I pay a prorated fee and not use all services?
Offering a menu of different membership options poses major problems with limiting access to our facilities. Retrofitting our facilities and adding staff to administer multiple membership tiers would increase the rates for all membership types.

Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.