LAFAYETTE, IN -- The YWCA of Greater Lafayette (IN) announced that it will close its Health Services Program, which includes its fitness facilities and swimming pool, effective Nov. 27.

The decision was based on declining membership and donation funds, Grayce Lechtenberg, president of the YWCA’s board of directors, told local media.

“Our focus is going to be on what will impact women and families,” Lechtenberg told reporters.

The Y intends to continue its Domestic Violence Intervention and Protection Program, Women’s Cancer Program and youth programming. While it does not plan to sell the building, the pool, which had a $12,500 salt sanitizing system installed in 2006, will be closed, and the gym will be converted to office space.

The fitness facility and gym have become too expensive to operate since membership has declined to about 119 people, Lechtenberg said. The YWCA has incurred an 18 percent drop in donations during the past year.

The Y plans to eliminate jobs for four full-time and 28 part-time workers, many of which were class instructors and lifeguards.

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