QuickTake:

The closure was prompted, Y officials and police said, by concerning comments made by a staff member.

5 p.m.: Updated to include information from Eugene police.

The Eugene Family YMCA will reopen Saturday, Aug. 15, after “concerning” comments made by a staff member led to a closure Friday, Aug. 14, because of safety concerns, according to YMCA staff and police.

Beth Casper, chief strategy officer, in a text message said facilities will reopen Saturday after a police assessment completed Friday.

Eugene police said in a news release Friday afternoon they had completed a “preliminary” investigation. No arrests have been made.

At about 10:15 a.m. Thursday, a YMCA summer camp coordinator reported that a staff member heard another staff member make “some concerning statements.” Another staff member Thursday evening reported “additional information,” police said.

The police department’s Community Engagement Team was working with YMCA staff Friday afternoon “to review safety and emergency response plans,” police said.

Brian Steffen, chief executive of the Eugene Family YMCA, emailed a message to members late Thursday night, which was also posted on the organization’s website, stating it would close Friday due to “concerns for the safety of our community.”

The notice said a staff member who had been terminated, made comments that raised concerns, leading to all programs and spaces at the YMCA being closed for the day. It also said that police were notified.

“The safety of your children, our staff, and our Y community is always our top priority. We know messages like this can feel unsettling, and we want you to know that we are being thoughtful, proactive, and transparent while also protecting the privacy of those involved,” the statement stated.

The statement Thursday did not say when the YMCA would reopen.

“We want to make sure that when we reopen, we have the recommended safety measures in place. We are staying in close coordination with law enforcement and safety partners to guide our next steps.”

More than 10,000 households are served by the Eugene Family YMCA, and a typical day can see more than 3,000 member check-ins at the organization’s main campus, according to the organization’s most recent annual report.

The full statement from Thursday:

Dear Families, 

We are reaching out to let you know about a situation involving a former staff member. On Thursday, August 13th, we became aware of comments made by this staff member that raised concerns for the safety of our community, and we made a decision to terminate employment. Since that time, they have made comments that raised further concerns for us. 

We have contacted the Eugene Police Department and are working closely with them on next steps. Out of an abundance of caution, we are closing all Y programs and spaces on Friday, August 14th. We will be utilizing that day to gather insights from security advisors and the Eugene Police Department. 

The safety of your children, our staff, and our Y community is always our top priority. We know messages like this can feel unsettling, and we want you to know that we are being thoughtful, proactive, and transparent while also protecting the privacy of those involved. 

We know this closure is deeply inconvenient, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. This situation has continued to evolve into the evening, and we want to make sure that when we reopen, we have the recommended safety measures in place. We are staying in close coordination with law enforcement and safety partners to guide our next steps. 

Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we work through this situation.

Brian Steffen
CEO
Eugene Family YMCA