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YMCA presents recreation study and pitches county partnership for Hampton facility
Summary
YMCA officials presented a $17,000 recreation needs study showing strong local interest in aquatics, group fitness, childcare and youth sports and proposed operating a county recreation facility under a partnership model; council asked questions about costs and roles.
Russell Swartz and Michael Bostwick of the YMCA presented a recreation needs study to the Hampton County Council on Nov. 17, 2025, and recommended a partnership model in which the YMCA would operate day-to-day services at a local facility.
Swartz said the independent study included 433 completed surveys and cost $17,000. "This isn't just a matter of going around and asking a few people... This was, in fact, a scientific study conducted by an independent agency," he said, and added the survey respondents were representative across age and income ranges. Swartz estimated those participants represented roughly 7% of the county population under stated assumptions.
Michael Bostwick, identified as YMCA CEO, outlined likely services the organization would provide if a Hampton facility is established: "cardio, group fitness, aquatics, strength training" and childcare programs, with an emphasis on swim lessons and youth sports. Bostwick said Wade Hampton High School campus rated highly as a possible location and emphasized scholarship policies: "If you need services... we will provide a scholarship for you to be able to come in and exercise. We use the government poverty scale."
Council members asked about membership fees and the county's role. Bostwick described a common partnership model: the YMCA handles programming and equipment inside the facility while the local government typically retains responsibility for capital items such as the roof or major building systems. He offered to arrange tours of nearby partnership facilities so council members could see how operations are managed.
The presentation did not include a formal request for county funds at the meeting; council members indicated interest in the findings and asked follow-up questions about logistics and county involvement in any future agreement. The YMCA representatives said they had a five-year agreement to provide swim lessons to second graders through a partnership with local organizations and schools and would form a local advisory committee if the county moves forward.
The council did not take formal action on the YMCA recommendation during the Nov. 17 meeting; staff will likely return with more concrete proposals if the county pursues a facility or formal partnership.
