The YMCA in Gahanna is starting a new year with a new name.

The facility is now called the Gahanna John E. Bickley YMCA in honor of a local YMCA leader, executive director Chris Angellatta said.

Bickley retired at the end of 2011 after spending the past 12 years as CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio.

“He’s retiring after 38 years, of which 22 years were in Columbus,” Angellatta said. “He has lived in Gahanna a long while. The board of directors wanted to name his hometown Y after him. It’s a great way to recognize a great leader. He was instrumental in bringing the YMCA to Gahanna, Grove City and Hilliard through a large-scale fundraising campaign. He has made all kinds of great changes to the organization the last 12 years.”

Bickley said he’s humbled by the Gahanna facility being named after him.

“I told our metro board a year or so ago that was something I didn’t want,” he said. “They didn’t pay attention to me, and that’s their prerogative. It’s an overwhelming honor. I’m humbled to have my name on the building.”

Bickley has lived in Gahanna for 15 years.

“We moved to Gahanna for a variety of reasons,” he told ThisWeek. “Our youngest daughter is in special needs, and the Gahanna-Jefferson school district has an incredible special-needs program.”

Bickley said he loves the community and plans to remain there in retirement.

“We moved my mother- and father-in-law from Pennsylvania, and they are at Kensington Place in Gahanna,” he said. “Our youngest daughter with special needs lives about 10 minutes from us in Gahanna, through Creative Housing. Our oldest daughter and son-in-law are in Gahanna. We have two grandsons in Gahanna.”

Bickley said the Gahanna YMCA is just one of 12 central Ohio facilities.

“I’m partial,” he said. “Gahanna does a great job and has good people.”

In addition to the name change, the local YMCA started to collaborate in the fall with the Gahanna-Jefferson school district’s Clark Hall by offering a 1,400-square-foot fitness center on the second floor at 380 Granville St.“We provided some fitness equipment the schools can use for some physical-education programs, and we’re using space for after-school hours,” Angellatta said. “There’s strength equipment and 20 pieces of cardio equipment that allows members to stop there for a quick workout after work.”

The winter session begins at Clark Hall on Jan. 9 and includes three classes: boot camp from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; strength and toning from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; and the Y-est Loser weight-loss fitness and nutrition class from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Registration is required and can be completed by going to the main branch to sign up or online at www.ymcacolumbus/gahanna.

“If you’re not a member of the Y and it’s a fee-based class, you just pay for the class,” Angellatta said. “Hopefully, that will encourage people to participate. Usage has been picking up there as word gets around. We hope to have a nice influx of participation (this month).”

The YMCA also is collaborating with the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation to continue an after-school program for all three middle schools.

Transportation is provided to the students after school to the YMCA, 555 YMCA Place.

“We kick it back off in January and encourage parents of middle school kids to check it out,” Angellatta said. “It’s a great way to keep kids active in the winter, and it provides a safe environment.”

Use of the YMCA for the after-school program is free for Y members and $1.50 daily for others.Gahanna’s YMCA also will offer fitness classes for senior citizens as part of the “Silver Sneakers” program funded through Medicare supplements.

“Starting in January, a couple new ones come online. That amounts to 30,000 seniors alone in central Ohio who will qualify for Silver Sneakers,” Angellatta said. “It allows seniors who qualify to have free access to the Y. As part of that, we’re offering a few new senior fitness classes. That’s pretty exciting. We’re happy to be a part of that and offer the free classes.”

For a list of programs, visit www.ymcacolumbus.org/gahanna.