In this video, Bill Wallace reflects on his pickleball experience at the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston, and the need to stay active during retirement.
Bill has always been an active person. During his time at Bates College, he taught in the education department and assisted with the swim program. Throughout his life, he had been a swimmer, runner, and bicyclist, and he felt that retirement was a good opportunity to add something new to his fitness routine.
Bill searched online for local pickleball opportunities and discovered our program at the YMCA Tuesday and Thursday mornings. He continues to attend sessions in the gymnasium at Turner Street, sharing laughs and building camaraderie. For Bill, this experience was especially meaningful, as retirement had increased his desire for maintaining and creating human connections.
The YMCA also reconnected Bill with our Membership Services Manager Peter Goulet, someone he had known decades earlier when Peter was a young swimmer and Bill was teaching and coaching at Hebron Academy. Reuniting with Peter, now an adult and leading the swim program here at the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston, felt like a full-circle moment.
Bill’s connection to organizations like the YMCA went back even further. After graduating from the University of Maine and serving in the Peace Corps, he worked at the Cumberland Lincoln Boys Club. There, he gained hands-on experience across many roles, from aquatics programs and swimming lessons to lifeguarding and facility maintenance. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for how such organizations enrich people’s lives and create welcoming community spaces.
Now living in Minot, Maine, Bill values the YMCA for the positive impact it has on his daily routine. In terms of health and wellness, Bill has noticed meaningful improvements. While his previous fitness activities were largely endurance-based, pickleball introduced a new dimension focused on hand-eye coordination and quick movement. He has observed gains in both coordination and overall fitness. Now age 71, he recognizes that pickleball helps him stay sharp by focusing on speed and agility.
Bill is also motivated by his family. With the recent birth of his first grandson, he hopes to remain active enough to fully participate in his grandson’s life, whether that involves sports, outdoor activities, or simply keeping up with him as he grows. He aspires to be an engaged and energetic grandfather.
Above all, Bill believes the YMCA plays a vital role in the Auburn, Lewiston, and surrounding communities. From youth programs to fitness classes and social activities like pickleball, it offers something for everyone. In his view, the YMCA not only promotes physical health but also fosters meaningful relationships and improves overall quality of life for those who participate.
Special thanks to Bill for sharing his Y story! If you would like to share your own story about how the YMCA has made a difference in your life, please email our Marketing Director Matthew Lunde mlunde@alymca.org.