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Print This StoryTwo Area YMCAs May Close
Officials Will Make Decision Later
POSTED: 12:19 p.m. EST November 21, 2002
CLEVELAND -- Residents protested outside the YMCA to save Ys in Ohio City and Glenville today, according to NewsChannel5.
Officials want to close the area YMCAs along with the Centerville Mill camp, but said they will wait about three months before making the final decision. They cite operating costs as the reason.
"We need physical recreation, and this is our only resource, and we will not sit down and lose it," said Tracey Kirksey, a Glenville YMCA member.
The decision to sell Centerville Mill camp will be made by Dec. 31.
YMCA board members believe that the two facilities are old and can no longer provide service. They want to consolidate and build new centers in other neighborhoods.
"We recognize that change is difficult and we want to take as much time as possible to explore our options as such we have decided to delay our action for several months," said Donald Strang III, chairman of the board.
Joe Cimperman said that the city will cut off funding to the YMCA if the officials do not listen to residents who will be affected.
"We will be heard. We will be heard when we go to the budget table," he said. "We'll be heard when we talk to Michael Benz and United Way."
Board members, however, are committed to coming up with a plan.
"We are going to make this thing work. We are not in the business of losing assets in those communities that are on the rebound," said Charles Butts, a west side YMCA member.
Officials want to close the area YMCAs along with the Centerville Mill camp, but said they will wait about three months before making the final decision. They cite operating costs as the reason.
"We need physical recreation, and this is our only resource, and we will not sit down and lose it," said Tracey Kirksey, a Glenville YMCA member.
The decision to sell Centerville Mill camp will be made by Dec. 31.
YMCA board members believe that the two facilities are old and can no longer provide service. They want to consolidate and build new centers in other neighborhoods.
"We recognize that change is difficult and we want to take as much time as possible to explore our options as such we have decided to delay our action for several months," said Donald Strang III, chairman of the board.
Joe Cimperman said that the city will cut off funding to the YMCA if the officials do not listen to residents who will be affected.
"We will be heard. We will be heard when we go to the budget table," he said. "We'll be heard when we talk to Michael Benz and United Way."
Board members, however, are committed to coming up with a plan.
"We are going to make this thing work. We are not in the business of losing assets in those communities that are on the rebound," said Charles Butts, a west side YMCA member.
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