The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge has named Tricia Reynolds the branch executive for the Botetourt Family YMCA that will open at the end of this year in Daleville Town Center.
Reynolds is a familiar face to the Y, members and community at large serving the non-profit organization since she graduated college in 2005.
Reynolds started her career at the Salem Family YMCA working part-time in the wellness center doing everything from teaching group exercise to personal training. She then served as the wellness director for five years until 2011 when she was promoted to her current role, executive director of the Salem Family YMCA. She has also served as
the wellness specialist for the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
“Tricia’s passion for the Y’s mission and experience will bring proven, forward thinking leadership to the Botetourt Family YMCA and community it serves,” said Mark Johnson, President and CEO of the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
“Under Tricia’s leadership the Salem Family YMCA has thrived in programming, membership and fundraising. And on a personal level, Tricia is great at building meaningful relationships with both members and community partners” said Johnson.
Reynold’s love of the Y dates back many years before becoming an employee was even in the picture. “When I was in middle school, I had my sister drive me to the Central YMCA, now the Locker Room Lofts, so I could purchase a family membership as a gift for Christmas. I presented the gift to my family by wrapping a tape recorder that played the YMCA song. To this day, I have many memories working out and taking water aerobics classes with my family,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley. She attended Northside High School and is a graduate of Radford University where she majored in exercise science and health education and was a member of the Division I track and field team. She is married to Mark Reynolds, a deputy sheriff with the Roanoke City Police Department, and has two young children Will, age 8 and Gabe, age 5.
“I think my kids are just as excited about the new Botetourt Y as I am. Every time we drive by they ask me when the building is going to be done. The Y has been a part of their life since they were born – from learning to swim to being a summer camper,” said Reynolds.
Though she’s excited about the project at the Botetourt Y, Reynolds said she’ll be glad when the building is complete so members can enjoy the new facility and programs.
“Helping people reach their goals and building confidence is what keeps me at the Y. It can change their whole outlook on life, and it excites me to be a part of that,” she said.
Reynolds has high aspirations for the Botetourt Y and engaging the entire community in the Y movement. In the coming months she hopes to meet with as many community leaders and organizations as she can to learn more about how the Y can make an impact. Reynolds said this will help develop the youth, family and senior programs that will be offered.
“Each time I visit the construction site I envision children taking swim lessons, the gym active with basketball games and members congregating in our coffee corner. Botetourt has so much to look forward to and I’m honored to begin serving this community.”
The Botetourt Family YMCA plans to begin the hiring process for new employees in late summer to early fall of this year. Construction still remains on target with a goal of opening by the end of the year.
