Monroe argues YMCA support

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 6, 2005

MONROE – Many in Monroe agree a new YMCA would be a great asset to the community, but their opinions split over a $2 million service agreement between the city and the group.

The $9 million facility, which is expected to open in early 2008 on Fryelands Boulevard in the city’s western end, would provide a safe place where children and seniors could get together, exercise and have fun, said those who spoke to the City Council Wednesday night.

It would also create a sense of community, offer jobs and provide a swimming pool. The city has no pool, and has talked about building one for decades.

Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald Payton Alesna, 5 (left), digs deep to find the perfect piece to add to a construction project that Spencer Constance, 7 (center), and Tyson Scollard, 6, are making at the Monroe-East County YMCA child care program at Chain Lake Elementary School in Monroe.

That’s why many were happy when the city decided to chip in $500,000 for the project earlier this year.

But some people wonder whether the city should pay an additional $1.5 million to buy services such as swimming hours, senior fitness, family and teen nights from the group for about 15 years.

Go for it, said Rod Dahlinger, a father of six children – the seventh is coming soon – who longs for a family gathering place.

“You can’t put a family in a workout center,” Dahlinger, 43, said. “That’s the difference between” the YMCA and local gyms.

Many of the 50 or so people crowded into the City Council chamber had comments similar to Dahlinger’s and asked the council to approve the agreement.

After more than two hours of public comments and discussion, seven council members tabled the decision for further negotiation with the YMCA. Instead, they unanimously approved a resolution in favor of partnering with the group.

“It’s moving in a positive direction,” said Patsy Cudaback, executive director of the Monroe-Sky Valley Family YMCA.

Meanwhile, representatives from local gyms urged the council to consider the agreement’s impact on their businesses. The senior center’s executive director asked why the city could afford $2 million for the YMCA but couldn’t fund a transportation program for seniors.

Resident Jim Hager, 62, said he balks at the idea of buying service with taxpayers’ money when only a small portion of those taxed would likely use the facility.

“It’s a big decision. It’s a lot of money, and I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary,” Hager said.

Cari Hornbein said she was concerned about putting the city in debt. “How is this going to affect taxpayers in the long run?” the Monroe resident said.

The council held no public hearings on the issue, Hornbein said. The revised agreement wasn’t available in advance for study. The resolution, written by Councilman Robert Zimmerman, was brought up during the meeting.

“The process has been very incomplete,” she said.

Zimmerman, who is up for re-election Nov. 8, said he supported the agreement from the beginning because it would cost much less than building a facility to provide similar services.

“I certainly support partnering with YMCA. It’s the most fiscally sound way of bringing programs and a pool,” he said.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.