Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/633996
149 State-of-the-art features are found throughout the facility. Left, Alex Turek is the executive director. each other because we have more space to do so." Of particular note, the expansion includes a 5,000-square-foot physical therapy space operated by Lawrence General Hospital. "The vision of the Y as well as the hospital is all about wellness, so it makes so much sense to bring physical therapy on-site with the new facility," says Dianne Anderson, president and CEO of Law- rence General Hospital. In the main physical therapy area, folks recover- ing from surgery or injury receive treatment, while on-site primary care physicians can meet with pa- tients for routine physical exams and other wellness services in adjacent examination rooms. And for easing patients back into their old regimens, it's a boon to be steps away from treadmills and free weights. "We're basically making it more convenient for patients and giving them ready access to these kinds of programs," says Anderson. "At the Y, it's like one-stop shopping." The final stages of the renova- tion are under way, with the gym- nasium, a commercially licensed teaching kitchen, a café, and admin- istrative offices due for completion in the coming months. But for those who just want to work up a sweat, it's ready. On Cicerchia's first day working out in the revamped And- over-North Andover YMCA, it was a full house—a surge of New Year's resolutionists, college students on winter break, seniors in the pool, and children streaking through the halls. The new building off Route 133 had all of the bells and whistles of a truly modern health club, but the spectrum of visitors proved that its reach went beyond gym rats and into the fabric of the community. "You said the Y started back in the '70s?" Cicerchia says. "Well, it's taking on its second life now." CO N TAC T YMCA 165 Haverhill St. Andover mvymca.org