Members can benefit from the fitness components offered at the the new YMCA, such as the 40 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, as well as a variety of health services offered through the Butler Health System.

When a person thinks of a YMCA, there often is a thought of exercise and physical activity.

But the Butler Health System is redefining what the YMCA can be with its partnership in developing the new Southwest Butler County YMCA.

"Don't think of the YMCA you once knew," said Ken DeFurio, senior vice president for operations of the health system, which runs Butler Memorial Hospital. "Think of a location where wellness and health care merge to create a continuum of health."

The new Cranberry Township YMCA, officially known as the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, is 80,000 square feet and replaces the soon-to-be-closed 5,000-square-foot branch in Jackson Township.

The new YMCA is at Route 19 and Ehrman Road in northern Cranberry. The health system is leasing 15,000 square feet of that facility.

The partnership marries the fitness components of the YMCA with health testing and management done by the hospital.

"It's kind of one stop shopping for everything you need to stay healthy," DeFurio said.

The YMCA provides an enhanced scope of programs and services including:

• A fitness center with 40 pieces of cardiovascular equipment.

• A large, indoor walking and running track.

• Three pools — a five lane pool, warm water therapy pool and a family fun pool with slide and squirting pipes.

• Three full-court gymnasiums.

• A climbing wall.

• A full array of indoor and outdoor youth programs such as soccer, volleyball, t-ball and football

• Child care services for parents who are using the Y.

• A vending/snack area.

• The health system rounds out the components of services available, including walk-in blood and other lab testing, drug screening, walk-in radiology testing; CT scan and MRI technology; screening mammography, ultrasound testing, and physician offices with primary care, orthopedics, cardiology and OB/GYN.

"And its only the beginning," said Rick Allen, the health system senior vice president for business development and strategic planning. "We're already working with the Y on other programming we can offer together that enhances healthy living for all members of the family.

"It's a very different, very novel approach," he said. "It's the partnership of two health resources coming together to help families manage their health."

While the YMCA sections of the building will open in November, the health system components will open in mid-January.

For information on the Schneider Family YMCA, visit the BMH Web site at www.butlerhealthsystem.org.