The Arlington‑Mansfield Area YMCA asked the Kennedale City Council on Aug. 5 to support its plan to open a Kennedale branch in a nearly 10,000‑square‑foot former Dollar General in the city center, saying the nonprofit would contribute about $500,000 to the build‑out but is requesting roughly $775,000 from local partners to keep membership affordable. Eric Tucker, identified in the meeting materials as CEO of the Kennedale YMCA and speaking on behalf of the Arlington‑Mansfield Area YMCA, told the council the organization has conducted needs assessments and stakeholder interviews and found demand for youth enrichment and services for seniors.

The YMCA’s pitch emphasized affordable programming and local partnerships. Tucker said the association is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that “raise[s] over half a million dollars a year to ensure that no one has turned away for the inability to pay” and noted the YMCA’s practice of setting varied rates and offering financial assistance. He projected about 2,250 members in the first year and roughly 65,000 annual visits to the proposed site, and listed example pricing from the association’s existing branches — for instance, a family month‑to‑month rate of about $95 — while stressing that Kennedale residents would be offered locally discounted rates if the city contributes to the build‑out.

Tucker said the YMCA’s $500,000 contribution would cover fitness equipment (which he estimated at $300,000–$325,000), fixtures and initial operations and that local fundraising would subsidize scholarship needs. He described a phased approach used in other communities: start with satellite programs and sports partnerships with the school district and other local organizations, then expand physical footprint and services over time. He said the association already operates programs in Kennedale parks, at Hammock Creek and through nearby branches and that those activities helped inform the design for a small, centrally located facility anchored by multipurpose community space, youth programs, senior services and health and wellness offerings.

Council members asked clarifying questions about membership reciprocity, rates and how the proposed public contribution would affect fees. Tucker said existing Arlington‑area YMCA members would have reciprocal access to the Kennedale location. When asked how fees would change if the city did not contribute, he explained membership pricing varies by category and contract type; he warned that without the requested public support fees for local residents would be substantially higher. Tucker said the YMCA plans local fundraising and national association resources to supplement operations and keep discounts and financial assistance available.

No public action or commitment by the council occurred during the presentation; the YMCA presentation was placed on the agenda as a presentation item. Council members asked for follow‑up details about the proposed funding split, the organization’s local fundraising plan and timeline. Tucker said the YMCA will provide a fresh community needs report in October and encouraged further discussion with city staff to firm up a partnership model and possible city support.

The presentation included examples the YMCA used elsewhere — Tucker cited a municipal‑YMCA partnership with an aquatic center and a larger YMCA facility in Mansfield — and underscored the association’s national membership network and volunteer board model. He also summarized program priorities identified by Kennedale residents (youth development beyond the school day, senior programming, health and wellness and transportation/affordability).