FREEPORT – The new sign out front of Freeport’s Casco Bay YMCA that proclaims it part of the YMCA of Southern Maine is the first indication that there are some new things in store for members.

The three facilities of the former Greater Portland YMCA – Casco Bay, Portland and New Gloucester’s Pineland YMCA – have now merged with Biddeford’s Northern York County YMCA, with the new group taking on the name YMCA of Southern Maine.

The four YMCAs joined forces officially last week, essentially becoming one entity with four branches. The merger will allow all four facilities to offer more programming and resources to members, said Helen Bren?a, the new CEO of the organization.

“When we did an in-depth, due-diligence study, including best practices,” Bren?a said. “We came to see that we had a very similar mission and focus and we could see the many, many benefits of becoming one.”

Bren?a said that the Casco Bay branch is the largest of the four, with 6,500 members. Portland is second with 4,100, Biddeford has 3,100 and Pineland has 1,700 members.

“I think our members will be excited and get on board when they see the expanded programs and services and all the resources that will now be available,” said Heather Gendron, the new executive director of the Biddeford Y.

A key benefit to members of the Casco Bay Y is that now they’ll be able to take part in any program or event offered at the other three branches, something that Freeport, Portland and New Gloucester members were able to do prior to the merger, but now those members now will be able to utilize the offerings in Biddeford, as well.

All four facilities will retain their own names and will have individual executive directors on site, according to Bren?a. Scott Krouse, the executive director of the Casco Bay YMCA, referred all questions for this story to Bren?a.

Bren?a added that members at Casco Bay, Pineland and Portland shouldn’t see many noticeable changes when they come to their local branch, other than added programs.

“What (members) will see is additional programs and services, but when they walk into the Y they are going to see the same people, the same members (and the) the same staff,” Bren?a said. “The community that they’re used to will all still be there.”

A document explaining the merger to Y members said, “We do not anticipate many staffing changes. By joining together, we will see some economies in our operation but are committed to providing the same quality programs and services our members have come to rely on.”

However, through the merger, the facilities have realized “operational efficiencies,” the document added, including in the areas of human resources, accounting and payroll, financial development and marketing and communications.”

Cutting down on the overhead costs by sharing services will lead to new benefits for members, Bren?a said. “I think that all four branches benefit in a few different ways,” she said. “By merging, what we’re doing is consolidating some of our overhead and administrative costs. If there’s less money going toward (those costs) then there will be more resources for each branch to give back to the community.”

In addition to its new name, the YMCA of Southern Maine is introducing several new programs starting this week.

One is a collaboration with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging called Living Well. Another new program is specially designed for active older adults to help them maintain strength and balance.

The YMCA of Southern Maine is also offering assistance from certified personal trainers to employees of the state who are obese or at risk of becoming obese through a program called ME First.

And this is just the start, according to Bren?a.

She said now that the merger is complete, the new board of directors will begin a strategic planning process that will include an analysis of programming, staffing and facilities.

“Decisions to add additional staff positions will be determined through a continual review of programs and services,” Bren?a said.

The new sign at Freeport’s Casco Bay YMCA announces that the facility is now part of the YMCA of Southern Maine.