Now that the new Worthington Area YMCA-DeGroot Family Center and City of Worthington Aquatics Center has opened its doors, there's another Y-related issue at hand: the future of its old location on 11th Street.
On Tuesday, the Worthington City Council resolved to pursue two possible sites for a permanent community center location, which would also have a senior citizens' component. One is the former Worthington Area YMCA building; the other is the former Campbell Soup Co. property.
City staff now plans to discuss the possible purchase of the old YMCA building in a meeting with the Y board. Mike Woll, the Worthington City Council alderman who represents that group on the Community Center Board, said Tuesday the board had a "reserved interest" in considering the purchase of the old Y, and that demolition of most of the existing structure would likely be required.
Part of what takes place with the old Y may depend on the extent of a city of Worthington/Nobles County partnership. Brad Chapulis, the city's manager of community and economic development, pointed out Tuesday that "there's really no grant opportunity out there" outside of a redevelopment project. Worthington's seniors, however, have been more than patient in waiting for such a project to get launched, so whatever redevelopment does indeed take place should take place soon.
"This has been dragging on and I'd love to get some resolution," Woll said during Tuesday's meeting.
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