Council hears YMCA proposal for University Place youth recreation; city to consider scholarships, scheduling and insurance

City staff presented a proposed agreement with the YMCA on March 16 to provide University Place‑branded youth recreation programming, a partnership the council framed as the return of organized recreation after more than a decade without an in‑city program.

Public Works Director Jack Eklund said the YMCA would administer the program and that University Place residents would receive registration priority. The initial offering would target youth ages 5–12 with seasonized leagues (fall basketball, winter volleyball and potential flag football, spring t‑ball and soccer) and shorter skill clinics in summer. "This program would be a UP‑branded program," Eklund said, and the YMCA would be responsible for operation and administration.

Eklund outlined proposed pricing: approximately $95 per season for UP residents and YMCA members and $190 for non‑residents; clinics were projected at $65 for residents/members and $130 for non‑residents. He said the earliest full league season would be in fall 2027, with intro clinics possible in June–July 2026; registration windows were projected for summer (clinics) and August–September (fall leagues). Eklund also said the YMCA and the school district had proposed season offsets (for example, placing soccer in spring rather than fall) to reduce conflicts with local club sports.

Council members repeatedly pressed staff about access and accountability. Several asked whether scholarships would be available and how they would be promoted. Eklund said YMCA scholarships would come from YMCA fundraising (available primarily to members) and the agreement allows the city to reimburse or directly fund scholarships for non‑YMCA members. "We did build in the agreement... that the city can also... provide a scholarship for [non‑YMCA members]," he said. Council members asked that scholarship availability be clearly promoted so eligible residents know how to apply.

Council also sought assurances about scheduling and deconfliction with the UP Soccer Club and other community clubs; Eklund said routine check‑ins and periodic coordination meetings would be part of the post‑adoption process. On liability, City Attorney Matt Kaeser said the city’s risk pool (WCIA) had reviewed YMCA insurance and staff were refining contract language to ensure the city is adequately protected and that any school‑district coverage needs are met. "We want to make sure we had the right coverages in place to protect the city regardless of whether we're at fault or not," Kaeser said.

Eklund said staff would return to council in April with a final agreement for adoption and that staff would lead coordinated marketing to emphasize the University Place/YMCA co‑branding the council requested. Council members asked for regular follow‑up reporting and suggested a six‑month or one‑year check‑in to evaluate scheduling conflicts and program performance.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract exhibits, confirm insurance language and return the agreement to the council in April for potential adoption; if adopted, Eklund said the YMCA would begin coordinated marketing and registration per the agreed timeline.