‘Physical health improvements also help with mental health’Published May 05, 2025 • Last updated 17 minutes ago • 3 minute readSheldon Googoo Jr., the new manager at the Membertou location of the YMCA, hosted an open house Saturday to welcome band members to join the facility and use the well-equipped gym. Photo by Rosemary Godin /Cape Breton PostIn a world where personal service appears to be going by the wayside – we’ve still got the venerable YMCA to count on. And when the youthful, new manager of the Membertou First Nation’s Y location wanted to let people know about all its benefits, he went knocking door-to-door to meet its neighbours. Read More Prepare to once again have fun at the Cape Breton YMCA The Y saved his life: How a Cape Breton man rose above his health condition to become a yoga instructor THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentSheldon Googoo Jr. didn’t go empty-handed. He handed out information, day passes and an invitation to Saturday’s open house at the gym located in the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre. Googoo, who only recently turned 24, has been the manager for the past six months, but has worked for the YMCA in Sydney for five years. “Our whole family has been involved with the Y all my life,” said Googoo. His father, Sheldon Sr., spent many years on the board of directors for the Cape Breton YMCA. Several members of the Membertou First Nation attended an open house at the YMCA location in the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre. The Y has a membership drive to attract new members in the community. Looking at Y information, from left, are Donovan Christmas, Lyndan Sanipass, John Gilbert, YMCA manager Sheldon Googoo and Dano Paul. Photo by Rosemary Godin /Cape Breton PostBETTER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTHGoogoo started working out a the Sydney gym as a teenager and then began working there after high school. He studied nursing at university, but his passion for fitness brought him into the leadership side of the YMCA. And now, he feels he is partnering with the values of the Membertou band that has long expressed an interest in better physical and mental health for its members. “I’m always thinking of ideas and meeting with people in the community,” Googoo says. He has concentrated his time as manager looking for ways to reach out to Membertou band members to increase memberships among them. Article contentGoogoo thinks about 10 per cent of the band population holds memberships in the Y. He hoped an open house over the weekend would help raise that figure. “Our membership at the Membertou branch has increased since Sheldon came,” said Anita Vosman-O’Rourke, director of member relations for the Cape Breton YMCA. She said the Y is hoping to become more involved in the community as time goes on. HEALTH EXPO PLANNEDThe YMCA is not only involved with the gym and fitness facility, but will be hosting a major health and wellness expo later this month. Vosman-O’Rourke is excited about the number of health and wellness organizations that will be present at the May 31 event. It will be the first health fair the Y has held since the COVID-19 pandemic and she hopes this will be an annual event at Membertou. Googoo notes that gyms everywhere were the last thing to open after the years of closure because of COVID-19. He says they were the last to open because it was impossible to space the heavy, fixed equipment to fit the guidelines during the pandemic. He says people – including himself – really missed the opportunity to work out and socialize. The young manager says the number of members has rebounded, unlike some organizations that lost members. Article contentHe hopes people both within and outside Membertou understand the benefits of a Y membership. “Physical health improvements also help with mental health,” Googoo says. “And people come to the gym for socialization. They’re glad to be back here because they missed socializing during COVID.” He says retired seniors, especially, seem to appreciate the physical and mental benefits of socializing and the fitness opportunities offered at the Membertou Y. It’s important to Googoo that people know the staff at his gym and those leading programs are welcoming to all. Inclusivity is an important value of the YMCA. Lyndan Sanipass and Donovan Christmas showed up to work out at the YMCA Membertou location’s open house on Saturday. The facility boasts a well-equipped gym and fitness programs for all age and skill levels. Photo by Rosemary Godin /Cape Breton PostPROGRAMMING FOR ALLThe programming in Membertou tries to fit every need and this is demonstrated in the variation of both age and skill levels. From youth to young adult, to adult and senior – programs and personal training are available for all – no matter what the skill level. Something gaining in popularity is the introduction for seniors to weights and equipment. And it’s the youth he is hoping discover the Y’s programs so that they begin a life-long practice of fitness. As people found out on Saturday, the cost of a Y membership is not prohibitive, being on average about $35 every two weeks. However, as part of its aim to be inclusive, the Membertou location offers financial assistance to band members who are eligible for discounts. And Googoo says keeping in line with the YMCA practices, even non-band members may be eligible for financial help if they apply to the Cape Breton branch. The Y is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Memberships vary depending on ages and there are special family bundles.Article content
Membertou YMCA manager touts benefits to community at open house
