[caption id="attachment_20881" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Chamber-Corner-Business-of-the-Week1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20881" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Chamber-Corner-Business-of-the-Week1-300x225.jpg" alt="BUSINESS OF THE WEEK" width="300" height="225" /></a> BUSINESS OF THE WEEK[/caption]
<p style="text-align: center;">Congratulations to this week’s Chamber Business of the Week - SCE &amp; G!  Each week, the Chamber highlights one member business or organization as a thank you for their investment in the Chamber and our community.  Special thanks to Sonic of Beaufort for sponsoring Business of the Week!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County reopens indoor pool after renovation with re-opening ceremony </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The eight-lane, 25-yard indoor pool at the Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County welcomed back swimmers in style during a reopening celebration on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. The pool is a popular site for exercise, swim lessons, water aerobics classes, and the YMCA Tiger Shark Competitive Swim Team. In 2014 the YMCA taught more than 1600 swim lessons to area youth and adults.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We are thrilled with the improvements to the swimming pool,” said Mike Bostwick, CEO of the Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County. “We are very excited to refresh our indoor pool to better serve our swimmers. We appreciate the community’s patience during the temporary closure.” YMCA members were able to access the newly refreshed pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room on January 5.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in conjunction with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and many local dignitaries were on hand to celebrate.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We are excited to see the new renovations to the YMCA pool and congratulate Mike and his team on this successful project,” said Blakely Williams, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce President &amp; CEO.  “This is certainly a wonderful asset to our community.  They YMCA’s commitment to the health of our community is another reason why Beaufort County has been ranked the healthiest county in South Carolina.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, an active Y member himself remarked, “The Y is such an important part of our community and we congratulate all the YMCA staff, board and members on this accomplishment.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Port Royal councilman Tom Klein echoed those sediments and recalled how this very same pool was an integral part of his recovery from hip surgery. Additional attendees at the celebration included Beaufort City Councilmen Phil Cromer and Stephen Murray, Beaufort County Councilwoman Alice Howard, Beaufort Regional Chamber Board Chairman Will Achurch and Cris Steele with Congressman Mark Sanford’s office. The entire indoor pool was completely renovated. “The work included ripping out all the old tiles and grout from the pool and replacing with new substrate, tile and grout,” said Lisa Redwine, YMCA Sports and Aquatic Director.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Additionally, the steel girders that support the roof and the pool deck have also been stripped and painted and the pool deck was thoroughly cleaned. Both the sauna and the steam room have been cleaned and refreshed with new wood seating as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from our members this renovation is proving to be a much appreciated investment”, added Redwine. “We invite the entire community to stop by to check out the pool and all our facilities here at the Y.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">To learn more about YMCA programs and membership including a complete pool schedule visit ymcabeaufortcounty.com.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Y Pool Hours:</strong>
Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:30 – 4:30 p. m.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Y Winter 2015 Swim Lesson Schedule:</strong>
Feb. 2 – 26, 2015
Preschool (age 3-5):
Monday &amp; Wednesday, 5:35 - 6:05 p.m.
Youth (age 6-12):
Monday &amp; Wednesday, 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Parent/Child (6 months – 2):
Tuesday &amp; Thursday, 5:35 – 6:05 p.m.
Adult (age 13+):
Tuesday &amp; Thursday, 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The cost for swim lessons is $40 per person for members and $60 for non-members.
Financial assistance is available.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About the YMCA of Beaufort County: The YMCA of Beaufort County is part of a 256 year old worldwide organization that enables the citizens of Beaufort County to develop values and behaviors that are consistent with our mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County was charted in 1990 and opened its doors in June 1996.  The YMCA is a locally autonomous organization made up of voluntary membership that is open to individuals of all ages, race, religion, incomes and abilities.  Programs and services incorporate the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and the YMCA encourages and challenges its staff, members, volunteers and program participants to accept and demonstrate these values. The YMCA of Beaufort County currently serves approximately 8,000 individuals through the programs and services provided. ymcabeaufortcounty.com</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Photos courtesy of Captured Moments Photography</p>
[gallery columns="2" ids="20879,20878"]