St. Mary's County exploratory committee launches YMCA feasibility work; county property map presented

An exploratory committee appointed by the St. Mary's County Commissioners opened its first meeting Oct. 17 in Leonardtown to study the potential for a YMCA or similar community center in the county, hear a regional YMCA representative describe programs and financing, and review a county map of publicly owned parcels staff say could host a facility.

The committee — made up of residents, county staff and service providers — was shown an interactive county property map by Bob Kelly, the county's chief information officer, and a program overview from Robbie Gill of YMCA Chesapeake Eastern Shore. Commissioners and members emphasized that the group’s next steps should include focused site selection, a feasibility study and fundraising outreach.

The exploratory committee was created by a July plan of action the commissioners approved, which directs the local group to investigate community needs, learn about YMCA programs, identify potential locations and assess fundraising capacity. County Administrator Rebecca Bridget opened the committee and reminded members that county documents and the map are available on BoardDocs.

County information officer Bob Kelly walked the group through a live map of county-owned parcels, noting the county holds 413 properties in its inventory and that the map display had been filtered to 280 buildable…