VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Family YMCA is stepping out to offer its members more opportunities to get fit.

The YMCA is going 24/7, almost.

“We’re a Christian organization, so we will be closed from midnight Saturday to 1 p.m. on Sunday,” said Larry Tobey, president and chief executive officer.

The facility will start its new hours this week. Beginning Monday night, all those who have been avoiding exercise because they can’t fit it into their busy schedules will have a lot more hours they can spend getting fit.

“We will be staffed at all times,” Tobey said. “We want to assure our members that the facility will be safe and only Y members will be in our facility after 9 p.m. at night.”

Tobey said he and his staff have been working towards this goal for months and came up with the plan during the April floods that closed the facility down for several weeks and caused a tremendous amount of damage to the building and equipment.

According to Tobey, Y members will be able to access the building between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. by swiping their membership card at the door on the fitness side. The main entrance will be closed, as will the gym and the pools. The entire fitness area will be open, including the women’s center and all of the exercise areas.

“When our members swipe their cards, their photo registers on our staff’s computer so that we can track who is in our building at all times. Only adults, 18 and over, and only Y members can come at the extended times. Children and visitors are only allowed during normal business hours,” Tobey said.

“Another bonus for our members, especially the shift workers and people who can’t come during the day, is that they still can set up appointments for a trainer during those late hours. It will be the same fitness services we provide during the day.”

Tobey said adding the overnight hours is just another way to customize the facility to the changing needs of its membership. It’s also a way to thank the members who stayed with the Y while it was closed for repair following the flood.

The YMCA will now be the largest full-service, full-time fitness facility in the area.