News Release from the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

Colorado Springs, CO 

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is proud to introduce a new wellness center within the Briargate YMCA (4025 Family Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80920). This modern, recovery-focused space is designed to help you move better, feel better, and live better. Experience a new level of recovery, relaxation, and total wellness at the Y. 

Join us for a special morning as we celebrate the official opening of our new YMCA Physical Therapy & Wellness Center! Enjoy a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the space, and light refreshments on May 14 | 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Briargate YMCA - 4025 Family Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

This dedicated space, focused on recovery and restoration, offers premium wellness experiences in a calm and elevated environment. 

Services and Amenities Offered 

• Recovery-focused wellness equipment 

• Relaxation and restoration experiences 

• Comfortable, spa-like environment 

• Red light therapy 

• Massage chairs 

• Cryotherapy lounges 

Benefits 

• Reduces fatigue

• Improves mobility 

• Supports recovery 

How It Works 

The Wellness Center is available as a monthly add-on and includes up to 12 half-hour sessions per month. YMCA members can schedule sessions by visiting https://ppymca.org/wellness-center. Not a member of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region yet? Visit ppymca.org/join to join today!
 

Physical Therapy at the Y 

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region also offers personalized, one-on-one Physical Therapy designed to support recovery, mobility, and overall wellness. Hour-long sessions use a holistic approach and are available through a convenient cash-pay model, with no insurance required. Physical Therapy services are conducted within the Briargate Physical Therapy & Wellness Center and at the YMCA at First & Main. - ppymca.org/physicaltherapy

“The Grand Opening of the YMCA Physical Therapy & Wellness Center marks an exciting new chapter for the Briargate YMCA and our community. This center was thoughtfully created to support the whole person, helping individuals strengthen their bodies, restore their health, reduce stress, and enhance their overall well-being. Whether recovering from injury, improving mobility, building strength, or simply investing in a healthier lifestyle, members now have a welcoming space dedicated to wellness, balance, and renewal. We are proud to continue expanding opportunities that empower people of all ages to live healthier, fuller lives while building stronger communities for all.” - Boyd Williams - President & CEO - YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

Colorado Springs, CO — May 2026 — Colorado Springs School District 11 is once again preparing for liftoff as every 5th grade student across the district participates in the second annual Rocket Day Peak Experience, taking place May 8, 12, and 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Building on the incredible success of last year’s launches, Rocket Day continues to immerse students in real-world STEM learning through hands-on rocket design, engineering, data collection, and flight testing. This year, due to regional fire restrictions and Colorado’s ongoing focus on wildfire prevention and land stewardship, the event has thoughtfully pivoted from traditional model rockets to water rockets, transforming a challenge into an opportunity for innovation, resilience, adaptability, and learning.

The district-wide event will take place at Memorial Park and is supported through partnerships with Lockheed Martin, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Estes Rockets, and Colorado Springs Rocket Society.

Media and community members are invited to attend:

Memorial Park – Rose Bowl Area
May 7, 8, 12, and 13, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

In classrooms leading up to launch day, students study flight, force, pressure, engineering design, and problem-solving through the district’s hands-on instructional model. On launch day, they put their learning into action by designing, testing, and launching water rockets while working alongside engineers, scientists, and community experts.

“This is exactly what Peak Experiences are designed to do,” said Superintendent Michael Gaal. “We want students learning beyond the walls of the classroom through meaningful experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives. Rocket Day combines STEM, creativity, teamwork, adaptability, and community partnership in a way that truly brings learning to life.”

Rocket Day is part of District 11’s growing Peak Experiences initiative, an innovative series of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities designed for every student at every school. D11 is the only district in the Colorado Springs area offering this level of systemwide experiential learning across grade levels, soon expanding to every grade level.

Additional Peak Experiences include:

• Kinderby (Kindergarten): Students design and race derby-style cars while exploring creativity, motion, and problem-solving

• Nature Navigators (2nd Grade): Students engage in outdoor environmental exploration and hands-on science learning

• PhilKids (3rd Grade): In partnership with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, students experience live music performance and arts integration

• Rocket Day (5th Grade): Students explore aerospace, engineering, and STEM careers through rocket design and launch

• Chalktober (8th Grade): Students transform spaces through large-scale collaborative chalk art and creative expression

Together, these experiences reflect D11’s commitment to expanding learning beyond textbooks and classrooms, ensuring every student has access to memorable, engaging opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and future career exploration.

“As an organization with a strong focus on STEM engagement, we are thrilled to continue supporting D11 students through Rocket Day,” said David Virga. “Even with the pivot to water rockets, students will experience the same excitement, engineering principles, and joy of discovery that make this event so impactful.”

Whether launching rockets, composing music, exploring nature, building derby cars, or creating public art, D11 students are experiencing learning in ways that prepare them for the future, and show them what’s possible.