Jamestown (CSi) On September 1, 2014 the James River Family Y in Jamestown becomes  James River Family Fitness.

Executive Director Frank Conlin says the name is the only change being planned.

He says the facility will still offer scholarships, the rates will stay the same and will be programs, and equipment offered. The decision will not change the organization’s group-fitness or program offerings for children, families and seniors.

The local Y has been a member of the national organization since 1980.

He says the name change relects the fact that YMCA’s are located in cities with a population 25,000 residents or more.

As James River Family Fitness, the organization will no longer be required to pay dues to the YMCA’s national office, saving resources during this time of transition.

The YMCA has rented the Larson Center from the University of Jamestown since the building was built on campus  in 1980. Before that, the Y was located downtown in the former armory building, which was located behind the Center for Economic Development, and was torn down, creating a parking lot.

Over the past few months, talks have centered on a new facility for the James River Family center with employees becoming a part of the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department, and occupy the planned Two Rivers Activity Center.

Meanwhile, the University of Jamestown has hired a consultant to conduct a study of its athletic facilities.

UJ athletic facilities may include the addition of a new arena and potential renovation of the Larson Center, the current home of the Y, along withadditional outdoor practice space for football, soccer, baseball and softball,