CANTON, OH -- Citing membership loss and the down economy, the Canton Jewish Community Center (JCC) plans to close its physical education wing, which includes a fitness center and a gymnasium, on Dec. 31.
The JCC closed its swimming pool in August, a move which accelerated membership loss, officials told the Cleveland Jewish News. The JCC currently has about 650 members.
Since the physical education wing will close at the end of the membership year, the JCC does not plan to offer refunds. JCC officials are negotiating with the YMCA about providing access to former JCC members.
“The economy has pushed this forward,” Ed Buxbaum, CEO of the Canton Jewish Community Federation and Canton JCC, told the newspaper.
Moving forward, the JCC will no longer be a membership-based organization, he said.