Medical Weight Loss in Wayne, NJ

Here's what to know about the community center including hours, what is available, what is in the works, and staffing/membership numbers.

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 3:54 pm ET

WAYNE, NJ — The Wayne Township Community Center officially opened this week at the now-former YMCA building, after the township purchased the building earlier this year.

Patch talked to Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Roetman about how the first few days went at the community center, and what new programs and upcoming events there are in the works.

Wayne Township took possession of the building on Sunday, and opened it Monday morning for people to swim, work out, and use the squash courts and open gym. It is now part of the parks and rec department.

“I would consider these first few days a big success,” Roetman said on Thursday. “A lot of people have come in the door and checked the facility out, and are using it.”

The fitness area, pool, squash courts, open gym, and locker rooms are open for members to use. Memberships are not required to attend meetings, free community programs, or shows in the theater, to take classes, or to eat at the cafe.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Private swimming lessons began this week, with group lessons set to begin in January. Roetman said the parks department is re-training many staff members to make sure the lessons are all consistent with their standards. Aquacise classes are scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 11.

A community after-school theater club is scheduled to start on Tuesday,, Nov. 12 for students aged 6-14, in the Rosen Performing Arts Center. The Wayne Rotary Club also rented out the theater for a comedy show on Nov. 21, featuring Aaron Berg.

Roetman said the parks and recreation department is working on additional programming for all ages, including a three-on-three basketball tournament in late November, a pickleball tournament in December or January, and social dances for adults with disabilities.

“We're really going to be focused on serving the whole community and making sure that we provide something for everybody here,” he said.

The WIN Food Pantry will remain open in its current offices, and Roetman said that Parks staff have been helping the pantry get organized. He said some Wayne For All Ages programs might move to the community center in the new year, but that all other township offices are remaining put for now.

To see all of the classes and events at the community center, click here to go to the online registration portal.

Current hours are:

Roetman said there are 60 part-time staff who moved over from the YMCA, and five full-time staff members – including the membership and marketing coordinator and the interim aquatics director.

“The majority of front desk, lifeguards, fitness staff, and exercise staff, pretty much everyone, stayed on,” he said.

Roetman also said that as the community center adds more classes and programs, they could be looking for more staff members.

“We’re looking at changing the schedule, come January, to try to offer more programs in the evening so when people are coming home from work, they have a place to go where they can exercise and work out,” he said.

As Patch reported previously, the Y delivered layoff notices to 155 full-time and part-time employees in August. The township said many of these people would be offered positions at the community center, and Y leadership told Patch that they would also work with employees to find them a new position – whether it was at the community center or elsewhere.

As for memberships, Roetman said the facility had 800 members as of Thursday, Nov. 7 and said he had a goal of about 3,000 members by the end of 2025.

Both residents and non-residents can apply for memberships at the community center (1 Pike Drive) and bring proof of ID, plus proof of township residence if they live in Wayne. For children's memberships, a birth certificate is required.

The Wayne YMCA had more than 6,200 members, according to a TAPinto report from earlier this year; the Y had been in the community for 14 years.

Town officials also sent out a welcome letter to community members (see below) that includes facility hours, how to become a member, and more:

Roetman said he was looking forward to other community events in the township including the Veterans Day observance and community Diwali lighting on Monday, the Christmas tree lighting on Thursday, Dec. 5, and a Hanukkah lighting later in the year.

The NJ Forest Fire Service battled a wildfire near the Palisades Interstate Parkway Friday. It could be seen from Manhattan. See updates.

Caren Lissner, Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 3:51 pm ET

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A blaze that spread along the Palisades Parkway in Englewood Cliffs on Friday morning has expanded to another 20 acres, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said around 3 p.m., for a total of 39 acres.

They said the fire is still 30 percent contained.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the river in Manhattan.

They said there were no evacuations, and Henry Hudson Drive is closed.

The next update will be posted around 8:30 p.m. Friday, they said.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier Reporting

State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday's gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.

There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.

"With a lack of rain over the last month or so, very dry fuels are in place," NWS forecasters said.

Mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. All fires are banned unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited, officials said.

The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state, officials said.

Both Trenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport have gone without measurable rainfall for more than a month. On Thursday, both broke records for consecutive days without measurable rainfall.

The 34-day record in Atlantic City was set in 1995, and Trenton's record of 38 days without measurable rainfall had been set all the way back in 1865.

Michele Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.

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The NJ Forest Fire Service battled a wildfire near the Palisades Interstate Parkway Friday. It could be seen from Manhattan. See updates.

Caren Lissner, Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 3:51 pm ET

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A blaze that spread along the Palisades Parkway in Englewood Cliffs on Friday morning has expanded to another 20 acres, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said around 3 p.m., for a total of 39 acres.

They said the fire is still 30 percent contained.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the river in Manhattan.

They said there were no evacuations, and Henry Hudson Drive is closed.

The next update will be posted around 8:30 p.m. Friday, they said.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier Reporting

State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday's gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.

There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.

"With a lack of rain over the last month or so, very dry fuels are in place," NWS forecasters said.

Mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. All fires are banned unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited, officials said.

The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state, officials said.

Both Trenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport have gone without measurable rainfall for more than a month. On Thursday, both broke records for consecutive days without measurable rainfall.

The 34-day record in Atlantic City was set in 1995, and Trenton's record of 38 days without measurable rainfall had been set all the way back in 1865.

Michele Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Hit the streets of New York City with "Annie" and enter the imagination of "Our Miss Brooks" in these upcoming high school productions.

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff

WAYNE, NJ — Students involved in theater at both Wayne high schools are preparing for their fall musicals, one of which is coming up next weekend.

Wayne Valley Theatre will perform the heartwarming musical "Annie," running from Thursday, Nov. 14 from Saturday, Nov. 16. The theatre company often does a play in the fall and a musical in the spring, but this is the second year in a row where Valley thespians will be putting on two musicals (as noted by the Smoke Signals student newspaper).

This show, adapted from the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," is set in New York City during the Great Depression. It follows a young girl named Annie as she's swept away into a world of wealth and privilege, when a rich man comes looking for an orphan to spend Christmas at his mansion. Well-known songs include "It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and "Tomorrow."

Show times for "Annie" are at 7 p.m. on Thursday the 14th and Friday the 15th, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 16th. Tickets are available now, with sales ending on the 14th. Prices are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors.

Performances are at the Wayne Valley High School Theatre, 551 Valley Road.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wayne Hills Theatre's production is from Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 7. They are producing "Our Miss Brooks" this year, based on the 1950s sitcom staring Eve Arden. Miss Brooks, a teacher, escapes from the stress of her job by dreaming about exotic vacations and meeting the man of her dreams.

While putting together the school play, she butts heads with an athletic coach after stealing his star athlete to play a leading role...and realizes he might be just what she's been looking for.

Tickets are not yet available for purchase, and performance times are still to be set.

The high school is at 272 Berdan Avenue.