The Eastern Lycoming YMCA, opened just seven months, is already planning to expand.

The facility, a quarter of a mile west of the Lycoming Mall, opened last summer and already has more than 3,000 members, just shy of a three-year membership goal.

Betty Phillips, who volunteers at the YMCA near Muncy, teaches water aerobics to people of all ages. She joined the Y shortly after it opened last June and has seen the facility’s popularity rise. “We started out with 12 to15. We have 30 or more everyday,” said Phillips. “It’s really crowded. Most days we have over 30 people in each class.”

The pool is not the only place seeing a big splash here at the YMCA. Y president Dave Fagerstrom told Newswatch 16 earlier this week the machines were getting a major workout. “We’ve had to add equipment twice, and we have a third order of equipment coming in this next month.”

“In a little more than half a year, this branch of the YMCA has found a need for more parking spots. That’s why this spring, they plan to build two more parking lots. We’re also looking, in next five years, to expand the building if the need keeps growing the way it’s growing,” said Fagerstrom.

According to Fagerstrom, families with kids account for a majority of the YMCA membership.

The free child watch is partly what had Anne Mussina signing up the day after the YMCA opened. “The young ones go in the child watch, and they love it. My little one calls it school, and looks forward to coming.”

“This was a community effort, and that’s shone through after we opened, the community is still supporting this effort,” added Fagerstrom.

Several million dollars was raised to make the new YMCA a reality. In the same building, there is also a senior center and a physical therapy center run by Susquehanna Health.