WORTHINGTON -- Greg DeGroot, co-chair of the YMCA Campaign Steering Committee, has requested a $100,000 commitment from Worthington Public Utilities, one that would span over a five-year period.
DeGroot and Andy Johnson, executive director of the YMCA, attended the WPU Water and Light Commission meeting Monday afternoon to relay that request and speak about the construction, timeline and costs of the proposed new Worthington Area YMCA.
A 16-member steering committee is in place to raise the $2.975 million needed for the project to go forward. A total of approximately $5.1 million is needed for the proposed 35,000-square-foot facility, with $500,000 already donated by Highland Manufacturing. The City of Worthington has also agreed to contract with the YMCA for pool services over a 20-year period, for a total commitment of about $1.7 million.
The proposed site for the new YMCA is on the Minnesota West Community and Technical College campus, in the parking lot between the field house and College View Apartments. A lease for the site is being drawn up between the YMCA and the college, but is not yet complete.
Johnson said several sites were considered for the facility, but "the college site made the most sense."
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"The partnership with the college allows us to expand on what we have now," he added.
Johnson said they hope to have fund raising complete by this time next year. The timeline for construction is dependent on funds raised. YMCA staff and committees hope to break ground by the end of 2007 and estimate the new building would take 11 to 18 months to complete.
The new facility would have a family aquatics center, wellness and family program areas, a multi-purpose center, child watch and locker rooms for children, adults and families.
The commitment DeGroot requested from the Water and Light Commission is something he believes could come from the WPU energy conservation fund, which the WPU is mandated by law to maintain. WPU must spend 1.5 percent of its gross on conservation, which totals about $165,000 per year at this time. The funds are generally dispersed to rebates, Habitat for Humanity homes and other projects that are geared toward conserving energy.
"We're asking for your help," DeGroot said. "Not a donation, but an investment in our community."
DeGroot went on to say a commitment from this fund would have no impact on utility rates. He put forth the idea of some in-kind service exchange as part of, or to add to, the $100,000 commitment.
"If you could see it in your hearts to benefit the project," DeGroot said, "and talk to Missouri Energy about a matching contribution."
The board did not make a decision during the meeting, but responded favorably to DeGroot's request to give an answer within the next 30 days.
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Commissioner Bob Demuth asked WPU General Manager if the commission members could get an account in the near future of where the energy conservation dollars have been spent in the past five years.
