ROCKLAND — If the Rockland YMCA took over operations of the Recreation Center, memberships would be required for children to continue using the building as a place to hang out. However, those memberships would be free for children in eighth grade and younger, and $17 per month for high school students. Adults would have to pay for a full YMCA membership.

This is one of a few changes the YMCA would undertake if a joint venture between the fitness organization and the City of Rockland becomes reality.

During a Wednesday, July 15, public forum at City Hall to answer questions and seek ideas for programs at the Recreation Center on Limerock Street, YMCA CEO Troy Curtis and board of directors member Jim Nelson explained their desires to see youth programs continue in safe, secure environments.

“It would be difficult to exaggerate how well this project fits the Y’s mission [youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility],” said Nelson. “The basketball program, the soccer program, supervised activities after school, summer camps. If those programs were to lose continuity or become financially prohibited in cost, either one of those things would be a tragedy of the first order.”

In the meeting, moderated by Rockland City Manager James Chaousis II, Curtis outlined a proposal that would eliminate summer usage and reduce winter hours at the Center from all day to noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. According to Curtis, these time reductions were based on an analysis of peak volume areas.

Basketball at the Rec. Center would increase from $20 to $25, and drop-in day care at the Center for elementary-age children would no longer be an option.

Camp fees would increase from $100 to $125, which, according to Curtis, is still a lot cheaper than other summer camps. As a bonus, the Y summer camp has more licenses and certifications than the City-run camp.

Children would not have to have a membership to sign up for individual programs, and scholarships are easily obtained, according to Curtis, who also spoke of the ease of obtaining Y memberships based on income and situation-based restrictions.

The Pen Bay YMCA, and its Rockland Harbor YMCA branch, was the only athletic organization to respond to a Request For Information sought by the City of Rockland during the City’s search for budget reductions.  

Now negotiations are in the works between the two entities to have the City provide a portion of the costs associated with operation and maintenance for the building, and to give the Y control of programming.

According to Curtis, the YMCA would collect all program and membership fees for programs and membership fees associated with the Rec. Center.

“This is a breaking, at best, for the YMCA. Every dollar of support that the City provides, and what we project to collect from user fees, is going out in direct costs associated with this,” Curtis said.

Under the Y’s operation, the Rockland District Nurses Association, the Knit Wits, and other groups using rooms at the Center, including as a polling place, would continue, according to Curtis. The YMCA would hire a director to oversee the building in a role similar to that of Rene Dorr. Current Rec. Center workers are welcome to apply to the YMCA, Curtis said.

According to Chaousis, for the City to accept this venture, a request would be proposed to council, who would then propose an ordinance amendment. That amendment would go through First Reading, Second Reading with public comment, then council vote.

If council vetoes the proposal then two options could be considered: Request additional funding from Council to keep the building in operation, or eliminate all recreation services.

At the same time, Troy Curtis would send his proposal to the YMCA board of directors, who would consider the Y’s finances, reputation, and exit clauses should the Y find the partnership with the City unworkable.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com.