Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recreation Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident asks Mt. Vernon leaders for clearer YMCA partnership plan on new recreation center
Summary
A resident asked the council for a transparent plan for how the YMCA would participate in the city's planned recreation center, raising questions about program and office space, pool lanes and courts; city staff said no YMCA proposal has been submitted.
During public comment at the March 16 Mt. Vernon City Council meeting, resident Sarah Cantley urged elected officials to provide a clear, transparent plan explaining how the YMCA would partner with the city on the new Recreation Center and whether the facility design includes office and program space for the YMCA.
Cantley said the number of swim lanes and basketball courts are important to the community and asked whether space is being designed to include office space and program areas for the YMCA. "She asked that the Council provide a clear transparent plan with the community," the record shows.
City Manager Nathan McKenna told the council he has not received a proposal from the YMCA describing how that partnership would work. Mayor John Lewis said the city met with the YMCA more than a month ago and asked them to submit a proposal; as of the meeting none had been provided. Cantley said she would reach out to the YMCA and encourage the organization to allocate time to develop and submit a proposal.
Council Member Joe Gliosci said he had met with Terry Milt of the YMCA and reported that Mr. Milt said he asked the National YMCA whether a municipally financed recreation-center partnership like this had been done before; according to Gliosci, National YMCA indicated it had not. The council did not make a decision on the partnership during the meeting and requested additional details be provided when a formal proposal is submitted.
The council is expected to revisit the issue if and when the YMCA submits a formal proposal.
