The long goodbye ended with sadness, rancor on Strafford Y's final day

A Google search for the Strafford Y reveals the news of its demise. (Courtesy Google)

On Monday as I walked from my car to the entrance of the Strafford Y at the top of Industrial Way the outer and inner doors magically opened for me ... as they have hundreds of times over the past five years that I have been a member.
They didn't open because I stepped on a pressure point activating the doors. They opened because one of the thoughtful front desk attendants saw me coming and took it upon themselves to have them open.
That's just a sample of the special relationship members shared with staff. It was a relationship that may never be duplicated again.
On the Rochester gym's final day profound sadness had replaced the anger expressed by members when the Granite Y announced its intention to close the Strafford Y gym and transfer their operation to Somersworth where they will bolster child care services out of the Somersworth Learning Center.
"As a leader in childcare and early learning, we are mindful that the state of New Hampshire has a lack of accessible childcare for many families in need, making this decision even more important for us," Michele Sheppard, CEO of The Granite YMCA, said in a statement announcing the move. "After a great deal of planning and due diligence, we are confident that by merging the current program in Rochester with the Somersworth Learning Center, we will be positioned to grow our services, provide improved access to childcare and serve a larger population in the Tri-City area."
Make no mistake about it. Almost all of the 721 members who frequent the Strafford Y are not happy with being left behind, and the rancor that immediately followed Sheppard's announcement lingers.
"There's still a lot of anger," said one worker at the gym on Monday. The worker didn't want to be identified because they are not an authorized spokesman for the nonprofit. "What we had here was so special, it was like a family. We will all miss it."
Perhaps those who will miss the Strafford Y the most are the hundreds of men and women who regularly attended group fitness classes.
Seniors, mostly women, often packed the group exercise room for its six to 10 classes a day including Yoga, Zumba, Muscle Conditioning, Cardio Tone and Chair Yoga. On Monday the group exercise room was empty.
Strangely, as I did my last workout in the comfortable, spacious gym area I saw there were about 20 others working out, probably the most I've seen there ever.
In her initial closure statement, Sheppard said they had studied the local wellness landscape and had deemed "there are numerous wellness opportunities in the area, and so the need is being met."
The nearest Ys that have fitness centers are in Portsmouth, which is about a 40-minute drive; and Sanford, Maine, which is a 30-minute drive. Both of those facilities will honor Strafford Y memberships.
The other options include the pricy Works in Somersworth and Planet Fitness in Rochester.
The YMCA of Strafford County had been operating in Rochester for 14 years.