HomeMy WebLinkAbout121823 email YMCAs nationwide are taking over public facilitiesCommissioners,
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend when it comes to the YMCA’s business practices.
Nationwide, YMCA chapters are engaged in the predatory practice of taking over publicly-built facilities at “fire sale” prices.
The same could well happen to the proposed “Aquatic Center” when it inevitably fails due to inadequate funding and increasing costs. The Y could take over, dumping all the existing debt
on the county in its position as the “debtor of last resort” for a county-wide PFD that is unable to finance its operations and debt service.
Just Google [ ymca takes over public facility ] to find many examples of this nationwide YMCA tactic, including but not limited to:
Wenatchee Valley YMCA unveils plans for $25.4M facility, seeks $5.5M from community <https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/wenatchee-valley-ymca-unveils-plans-for-25-4m-facility-seeks-5-5m-from-c
ommunity/article_7ea5c880-6f97-11ee-8cba-07584a081e01.html>
YMCA taking over Maplewood Community Center <https://www.twincities.com/2016/10/20/ymca-taking-over-maplewood-community-center/> (Twin Cities)
YMCA could take over Fenton’s rec center, which is running at a million-dollar deficit <https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/ymca-could-take-over-fentons-rec-center-which-is-running-at-a-million-dollar-
deficit/> (Missouri)
YMCA-Proposed Relocation to the Civic Athletic Complex <https://cob.org/project/ymca-arne-hanna-project> (Bellingham)
YMCA Takes Over Florida City Rec Center <https://www.clubindustry.com/nonprofits/ymca-takes-over-florida-city-rec-center>
Niles officials consider letting YMCA take over village’s Family Fitness Center <https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/ct-nhs-family-fitness-center-tl-0827-20200825-mqevrbzlbfgcxbwqwiejhm2um4-
story.html> (Chicago suburb)
and (Niles) https://www.vniles.com/DocumentCenter/View/10329/FAQ-for-Residents-About-YMCA-Proposal-PDF
And, in reverse, here’s a Y that wants to shunt an underperforming facility back to this poor Tennessee town:
YMCA wants Metro to take over Northwest facility in Bordeaux <https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/07/24/ymca-wants-metro-take-over-northwest-facility-bordeaux/501931001/>
Lastly, here’s a PPT should look very familiar; it’s virtually identical to the Y’s proposal here in 2015 (remember the gym with the overhead running track?) <https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/
ymca-looks-for-input-from-public-on-its-plans-for-new-jefferson-county-facility-in-port-townsend-2/> , and still looks a lot like the current proposal for here, splash pad and all.
And how did “The cost is estimated between $13 million and $15 million for a building between 47,000 and 52,000 square feet.” become $37+ million to $50+ million?
https://www.martinsville-va.gov/DocumentCenter/View/616/YMCA-City-Council-Presentation-?bidId=
I’d hate to see Jefferson County fall prey to this scheme.
Tom Thiersch