Council extends YMCA gym arrangement at Building 120 with custodial to be covered by YMCA

Sammamish City Council voted June 2 to continue the YMCA’s current use of Building 120’s gym at roughly 39 hours per week under the existing payment terms and authorized the YMCA to sublease parts of the space so long as the YMCA covers custodial costs.

Staff told council the YMCA’s existing arrangement accounts for about $10,000 per month in program revenue for the city’s permit/lease line but that the city had been planning to reduce custodial services for the building as a near-term budget savings measure. Parks staff recommended the middle option under which the YMCA would continue the 39-hour program and assume custodial responsibilities for the gym and associated restrooms; staff said this approach avoids the higher utility, repair and operating costs that a doubling of hours would produce.

City comparison data presented during the discussion showed school‑district gym rental rates commonly range from about $65 to $161 per hour (varying by district and event staff requirements). The YMCA told staff it typically subleases gym space at market rates, and staff noted that if the YMCA expanded hours substantially the city would see increased wear-and-tear, higher HVAC and utilities use, and greater custodial demand.

Council voted unanimously to continue the existing 39‑hour arrangement, allow the YMCA to sublease, and ask the YMCA to cover custodial costs for the gym and restrooms while the city resumes broader community engagement on Building 120’s long-term future.

What’s next: the YMCA arrangement will continue short-term under the agreed terms while staff runs the Building 120 community-engagement process and produces market/appraisal work on alternative disposition or operation models.