Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 27, 1994                   TAG: 9410270095
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

YWCA WON'T REVEAL FATE OF SALEM CENTER

The board had been expected to discuss the Salem center Tuesday as part of a review of the organization's finances.

Board President Ginny Allison declined Wednesday to answer questions about the meeting. She would not say when or if the board would have any comment.

One source, who asked not to be identified, said an announcement could come next week.

Some YWCA members launched a petition and letter-writing campaign last week after word began circulating that the board was considering closing the Salem center. Some members - who were told by board officers that the center's closing was likely - said they were puzzled by the board's closed-mouth approach.

"It's a mystery to me and to all the employees and members," said Gwyn Finton, an arthritis aquatics instructor and YWCA member. "People knew there was a board meeting, and they're wondering what happened."

The YWCA operates two centers - one in downtown Roanoke and another on Roanoke College's Elizabeth campus, across from the Salem Civic Center. The Salem center is housed in an activities building that the Y has leased from the college since 1985.

The Salem Y offers water aerobics and arthritis aquatics classes, an after-school program for children, a summer day camp and other programs similar to those offered at the downtown Roanoke center.

Roanoke College officials declined to comment Wednesday when asked if the college had been contacted by the YWCA after Tuesday's board meeting.