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GET ACTIVE AND BE A SPORT
The YMCA of Avery County offers a variety of sports programs for youth and adults throughout the year. The John M. Blackburn Indoor Athletic Facility and the O’Connell Fieldhouse are able to offer more activities, more often, and for every age group.
The Blackburn Athletic Facility houses two full gymnasiums that provide space for a variety of sports and activities including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, indoor soccer and more. The O’Connell Fieldhouse features two golf simulators, batting cages and adjustable pitching machines for either hardball or softball, and a functional fitness area.
Check out the Athletic Facility Schedule below for Open Gym times, scheduled hours for Pickleball, Basketball and more!
GOLF SIMULATOR & BATTING CAGE RESERVATIONS
Reserve a 50 minute time slot for a Golf Simulator or Batting Cage.
There is a $2 reservation fee for NON-MEMBERS in addition to the $10/$5 guest fee to access the YMCA for the day.
Click the button to log into your YMCA Membership Account and follow these steps to schedule your reservation today!
Step 1: Log onto your Daxko Member profile*
Step 2: Beside Services, click New.
Step 3: Select the Avery County Branch, select your Reservation Type, and click View Availability
Step 4: Pick the desired Day and Time, select the Member(s) for the Reservation, and click Done.
Step 5: Click Continue to sign your Agreements/Waivers, and Click ‘I Agree‘.
Step 7: To Confirm your reservation, click ‘Check-Out.’
Note: there is a five-visit schedule limit
*Issues getting logged in? Call the YMCA Membership Services desk for help – 828-737-5500.
To book the Fieldhouse for Team use, please contact our Director of Recreation, Nathan McDavid, to ensure your reservation is secured.
EVENT RESERVATIONS
Looking for a fun and engaging place to hold your next party? Rent one of the Blackburn Athletic Facility gyms to host your next event. Reservations can be made for Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons. During your allotted party rental, the party will have access to athletic equipment, tables, chairs, and a refrigerator.
All Blackburn Athletic Facility Partys are 3 hours
Click the button to log into your YMCA Membership Account and follow these steps to schedule your reservation today!
Step 1: Log onto your Daxko Member profile*
Step 2: Beside Activities, click Register for a Program.
Step 3: Select the Blackburn Party from the categories list.
Step 4: Click Party, then the blue Register button.
Step 5: Select the adult who will be responsible for the party reservation.
Step 6: Select the date and time of the Party.
Step 7: To Confirm your reservation, click ‘Proceed to Checkout.’
Step 8: Complete the form with your information and if you would like to add a bounce house to the reservation, click Next.
Step 9: Read the Agreement/Waivers and click Accept & Sign.
Step 10: Click Checkout and complete your payment online.
*Issues getting logged in? Call the YMCA Membership Services desk for help – 828-737-5500.
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid at [email protected].
YOUTH ATHLETICS
CLUB BASKETBALL
This program is for any individual who wants to build or improve their basketball skills through drills and play. No experience is necessary. This program will be taught by the Lees-McRae Women’s Basketball Team.
- WHEN: Tuesdays, September 10th -October 22nd
- WHERE: Williams YMCA of Avery County Blackburn Athletic Facility, Gym B
- TIMES: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- AGES: 8 – 14 years old
- COST:
$60/child for YMCA members
$80/child for Non-YMCA members
- COST: (Late Registration)
$75/child for YMCA members
$95/child for Non-YMCA members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
WINTER YOUTH BASKETBALL
Youth Basketball is an exciting sport that combines team play and individual skills. With youth basketball, every child has a chance to participate in practices and games!
The Y utilizes volunteer coaches to focus on participation and fun! While basic skills of the game are developed through practice and games, every child learns sportsmanship and values necessary to be successful in life.
- WHEN: October 28th – January 16th
- WHERE: Williams YMCA of Avery County Blackburn Athletic Facility, Gym B
- TIMES: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm or 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- PRACTICE DAYS: Mondays or Tuesdays
- GAME DAYS: TBD
- AGES: Pre-K – 5th Grade
- COST:
$60/child for YMCA members
$80/child for Non-YMCA members
- COST: LATE REGISTRATION (10/21-10/25)
$75/child for YMCA members
$95/child for Non-YMCA members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
YOUTH CLUB VOLLEYBALL
We are hosting a Club Volleyball program where the participants will learn and improve various skills, position play, and gain experience through focused practices in their off-season. All skill levels are welcome.
- WHEN: November 5th – January 7th
- WHERE: Williams YMCA of Avery County Blackburn Athletic Facility, Gym B
- TIMES: TBD
- AGES: 8-14 years old
- COST:
$60/child for YMCA members
$80/child for Non-YMCA members
- COST LATE REGISTRATION: (10/31-11/04)
$75/child for YMCA members
$95/child for Non-YMCA members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
SPIRIT
Come and join us on Tuesday nights from 5:30-6:30 or 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the Group Exercise Room for our YMCA Spirit Program! This program will incorporate dance, cheer, and tumbling into one program. At the conclusion of the program, we will have a showcase at our Blackburn Athletic Facility. It will be taught by Victoria Bowman, LMC Dance Team Coach, and the Lees-McRae College Dance team! No dance, tumbling, or cheerleading experience is necessary. This program is for children ages 5-12 and grades Kindergarten-6th grade only. There are limited spots for this program.
Pre-K – 2nd grade:
WHO: Ages 5 – 9
WHEN: Tuesday Nights; September 3rd – October 8th
WHERE: Group Exercise Room in Main YMCA Facility
TIMES: 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm
3rd – 6th grade:
WHO: Ages 9 – 12
WHEN: Tuesday Nights; September 3rd – October 8th
WHERE: Group Exercise Room in Main YMCA Facility
TIMES: 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm
COST:
$60/child for YMCA Members
$80/child for Non-YMCA Members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
FALL YOUTH SOCCER 2024
Make this season great! Registration for the YMCA Fall Youth Soccer Season is open! Our season starts August 26th and ends with the last game on Saturday, October 26th. Games will be every Saturday and game times will run from 9am-1pm.
Early Registration Open July 12 – August 4th.
Late Registration Open August 18th – August 23rd.
Open to ages 4 – 11 years old
- WHEN: August 26th – October 26th
- WHERE: Games and Practices will be held at Newland Christian Church – 2800 Miller’s Gap Highway, Newland, NC 28657
- TIMES: Practice times will be weekday evenings. Team practice times will be announced by the coaches. Game times will be Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- COST:
$75/child for YMCA Members
$95/child for Non-YMCA Members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
HOMESCHOOL PE
Homeschool PE is open for Spring registrations! Open to all Homeschool students, join us for an hour of structured physical activity, including games, athletic skill development, team building skills, swimming and more.
- WHERE: Blackburn Gym B
- WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays; February 1st – April 30th* We will not hold Homeschool PE on April 2nd and April 4th.
- TIME: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- WHO: ages 4-14
- COST:
$60/child for YMCA Members
$80/child for Non-YMCA Members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUE
The Adult Basketball League is a competitive league which provides an opportunity for individuals of the community to be active and display their basketball skills on the court. Ages 18 and above can register for this league. There will be no Team Registration this year.
Registration will Open January 2024.
WHEN: Monday or Tuesday Evenings; Beginning April 8th *Playoffs will be held on June 3rd and June 4th
TIME: 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm
WHO: Anyone age 18 and older
LOCATION: Blackburn Athletic Facility, GYM A
COST:
$60/individual for YMCA Members
$80/individual for Non-YMCA Members
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
BEGINNERS PICKLEBALL CLINIC
Join us in Blackburn Gym B from 5:30-7:30 pm for this Pickleball Clinic. This is a clinic for individuals who want to learn how to play Pickleball. In these two hours, you will learn how to play safely, the rules of the game, and basic terminology that will prepare you to begin to play pickleball more confidently!
Don’t have a paddle? No problem! We will have some on-site for you to utilize during the clinic.
Coming Soon!
WHEN: To Be Determined
TIME: 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm
WHO: Anyone age 8 and older
LOCATION: Blackburn Athletic Facility, GYM B
COST:
$10 Members
$20 Non-Members
Registration Note: If you register, and you are on the waitlist, the Recreation Director will notify you if you are able to join in future clinics.
For more information, please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. From one-on-one games to team games you won’t find a sport that is more engaging for the whole family!
WHO: Anyone who is familiar with the basics or Pickleball
MORNINGS: Mondays – Fridays from 8:00 am -12:00 pm
EVENINGS: Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:00 – 7:00 pm
WHERE: The Blackburn Athletic Facility, Gym A
For more information please contact Nathan McDavid, [email protected].
Athletic Facility Schedules
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