Ira Reasons, YMCA resource director for Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee, praised the Bogalusa YMCA’s “emphasis on health seekers,” and said it reflects that of the national YMCA.

Reasons met with Bogalusa YMCA CEO Ken Martin and CVO Stuart Parker at the local Y Tuesday. Obesity has reached crisis levels across the country, and the YMCA wants to help people who may have difficulty adopting healthy lifestyles for optimal weight, he said.

“Health seekers need additional encouragement to successfully meet and maintain healthy lifestyles,” said Reasons. “About 70 percent of Americans want to be healthy, but need additional support about how to achieve health.”

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The YMCA offers a variety of exercise programs and activity possibilities for youth and adults, and it provides a healthy, positive environment that itself supports non-sedentary lifestyles.

The Wellness Center contains weights, treadmills and other machinery. The gym offers a space for basketball.

The swimming pool is open seasonally, and a skateboard park is available nearby outside. Inside there is boxing, dancing, handball and more.

And that doesn’t even include less energetic pursuits like art and education classes, which are also offered by the Bogalusa YMCA.

Reasons said he is impressed.

He also commended the local board of directors for pursuing funding for a joint, upgraded facility.

“Bogalusa is doing such fantastic work,” he said.

“The new facility may enable us to do that to an even greater degree than before.”