The CEO of the YMCA, Bobbie Wagner, couldn't hide her excitement as she cut the ribbon today, officially launching the new wellness center.

Alleghany Highlands YMCA Unveils New Wellness Center By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Covington, VA (July 7, 2026)— The Alleghany Highlands YMCA, located at 101 YMCA Way, marked a momentous occasion at 4:30 p.m. today with a special ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the grand opening of its newly remodeled wellness center. This exciting development promises to enhance the community's access to modern fitness and wellness resources. Gone are the days of the bright pink and blue walls and outdated equipment that characterized the former wellness center. In their place, visitors will find a serene environment of light gray walls and dark-gray matting on the floor, creating a welcoming and contemporary atmosphere. The removal of the knee wall seems to have opened up the space, and, as one visitor noted today, "makes it look as big as before." The highlight for many will be the introduction of brand-new state-of-the-art fitness equipment, complete with navy-blue bows on top. The transformation of the wellness center was made possible through the generous support of The Alleghany Foundation, whose funding played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by several local government officials, as well as many local residents. Speaking at today's ribbon-cutting event were Josh Taylor, Executive Director for the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism; Chris Doyle, Board President of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, as well as Executive Director of the Boys Home of Virginia; Susan Wolfe, Vice Mayor of the City of Covington; Jeff Irvine, Clifton Forge Mayor; James Griffith, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Alleghany County; Tyler Sizemore, Deputy Director of the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation; David Rooklin, Board Chair of the YMCA; Dr. David Crandall, Board Member of the Alleghany Foundation; and Bobbie Wagner, CEO of the Alleghany Highlands YMCA.

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