Chautauqua County Legislature backs request to include JCC27s wellness complex in SUNY capital ask; county could face roughly $6M share

The Chautauqua County Legislature on Nov. 19 approved a resolution asking the State University of New York to include phase 1 construction of a proposed Jamestown Community College2DYMCA wellness complex in SUNY27s 20262727 capital request and set up capital accounts for design work.

County Executive Wendell told legislators the project is being approached in two phases so the county and college can pursue executive2Dbranch funding in the coming budget cycle. He said earlier requests for a turf field were denied and described barriers if the City of Jamestown were to sell parkland for a college site (the city would need to provide replacement park acreage), making an outright purchase infeasible. "So what we're looking at is a long-term project," he said.

During discussion, Legislator Niebuhl asked whether the county would be asked for funds for phase 2. County staff and legislators clarified the intent: Phase 1 would address Jamestown Community College needs, while phase 2 would include the YMCA and shared facilities. Officials described the YMCA portion as funded by the YMCA itself and said the county27s share would apply to the shared portion only. Officials and legislators referenced an approximate $19 million figure for the overall project and stated that the county27s total potential contribution across both phases would be about $6,000,000, with roughly $3,000,000 expected for Phase 1.

Legislators asked for clarity about whether the resolution committed county funds. Chairman Shagman and staff emphasized that the request to include the project in SUNY27s capital ask does not itself appropriate county dollars: "We're not committing any county funds ... with this resolution," the chairman said; subsequent funding would require separate future resolutions if the project is included and county funds are needed.

The Legislature approved the inclusion request. The vote on the phase2D1 funding request recorded one "no" and otherwise passed; the subsequent resolution establishing capital accounts for the design of the JCC/YMCA Wellness Center also passed with one "no." The county will return to the Legislature with specific funding requests if state funding is approved and local match is required.

Why it matters: A JCC2DYMCA wellness complex could change who pays for athletic and community recreation facilities in Jamestown and could require a multi2Dmillion-dollar county contribution if plans proceed beyond the planning stage. Officials stressed the request is an early step to secure state capital funding, not a commitment of county appropriations.

Next steps: If the SUNY executive budget includes the project and state funds are authorized, the county would see follow-up resolutions seeking formal local match or appropriation for the county27s share.