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LISBON - Curves may have headed out of town, but there's no need to feel down, because now there's a place there called the YMCA.

Lisbon's new YMCA Fitness Center will open Monday to members of the East Liverpool Area YMCA and to those seeking new membership.

Associate Executive Director Peggy Satmare called Monday the "soft opening" of the center but noted there will be a formal grand opening in early December.

Noting the Vista Wellness Center recently closed and as did Curves, which was in the same location that now holds the YMCA Wellness Center, she said it was a prime opportunity to offer a place for people in the Lisbon area to get their exercise.

"We felt we just wanted a branch out here in Lisbon," she said.

The center hosts a variety of new cardiovascular and strength training equipment including three treadmills, four elliptical machines, two exercise bikes and seven pieces of selective strength training equipment. The strength equipment allows users to lift up to 250 pounds, but the center also hosts free weights ranging from five to 50 pounds and benches for lifting.

In order to keep members entertained while they exercise, the pieces of cardiovascular equipment have built-in televisions and members with Apple iPods can bring their headphones and plug their devices into the equipment.

Moving into the building was easy, Satmare said, as the building owners have been very accommodating and the equipment CEO Rob O'Hara ordered took less then two weeks to deliver.

"We've been so busy trying to get this site up and running" she said, noting the short timespan for opening the center.

The center will offer different membership plans for adults, college students, and youths age 16-18, as well as the free Silver Sneakers plan for which seniors may be eligible through their health insurance. As is part of the YMCA's mission, financial aid will always be available, she noted.

No fitness classes are planned for the immediate future, but there will be personal training offered at the center. Satmare noted four employees will staff the center in Lisbon, and two new additions are Lisbon residents.

"The same friendly people that have been at our East Liverpool YMCA and our Calcutta YMCA will be here to greet people," she added.

She noted the growth of the fitness center, from its operating hours to the number of employees to the chance of adding fitness classes, all depends on the amount of interest the community shows in the center and the amount of foot traffic through the front door.