Clad in Spandex, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and still sweaty from her exercise class, Missy Turner collected her two most important possessions: her sons, ages 1 and 3.

While Turner cooled down from her workout Wednesday, the trio lingered in the lobby of the mega-complex that has become one of the region's hottest fitness venues - the Haverford Area YMCA. "It's so new and state-of-the-art," said Turner, who lives in Drexel Hill and joined in January.

Free child care, plus the classes, an indoor track, and three swimming pools are among the amenities that have helped make the Haverford Y into what one organization official describes as the fastest-growing YMCA in the country.

With more than 20,500 members, it has become so popular that as cars pull into the expansive parking lot, attendants with flags direct them to the few available spaces - la the Wells Fargo Center and Citizens Bank Park during games.

Since it opened in October, the Haverford Y's membership numbers have far exceeded expectations and surpassed those of Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA's 16 other branches. Every day, about 2,500 people exercise at the shiny building on Eagle Road.

"We couldn't be happier," said Haverford Township Commissioner Mario Olivia. "And our residents couldn't be happier with the services."

The unprecedented growth - YMCA officials set a goal of 15,000 members in the first year - is due in large measure to the location and demographics of Haverford Township, a populous Delaware County community.

It is also a manifestation of a national trend, as YMCAs expand into suburban areas where amenities such as child care, group fitness classes, and waterslides are drawing crowds.

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Boom times for fast-growing Haverford Y