ROCKLAND — Benjie Blake, former assistant director of the Rockland Recreation Center, has been hired as sports and camping director for the Rockland Harbor Branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.  

Blake is from the Old Town area, and holds a degree in kinesiology and physical education from the University of Maine. He has worked within Rockland’s recreation department for about 20 years, and “is slated to oversee many of the historical services that the Rec Department has offered, including youth soccer, basketball and summer camp,” according to a news release by the YMCA.

The Y, which opened its Rockland branch doors in January 2015, takes over programming of the Recreation Center October 1 as part of an initial lease agreement with the City.

Troy Curtis, CEO at the Penobscot Bay YMCA said in the release: "Benjie's experience working within the Recreation Department will be a key factor which will ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible."

The agreement outlines a 33-month lease that will end June 30, 2018, with option to renew for another two-year term after that.

Instead of the YMCA paying rent on the building, the City will foot an operating subsidy in the amount of $84,000 the first year and $130,000 the second year. To determine the cost of subsequent years, the city will take the amount of the previous year and incorporate a percentage change as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

The City will continue to be responsible for all maintenance, utilities and repairs to the 25,700-square foot multi-purpose brick building at 61 Limerock Street, also known as the Community Building.

In return, the YMCA may not alter or sublease any part of the building without permission of the city. It will also continue to allow space for elections, the Knit Wits club, Zumba/dance classes, U.S. Coast Guard physical training, and Seniors Walk and Lift.

The YMCA license does not include the adjacent playground on Limerock Street, Johnson Memorial Park on Chickawaukie Pond, Kenniston Field in Jaycee Park, or Snow Marine Park playing fields on Mechanic Street. The Y is, however, permitted to schedule uses of those facilities.

After studying the current high usage periods of the Rec Center, the Y has determined to have the building open during the winter months, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Saturday. The building will be open during select school holidays and school vacations. No summer hours will be offered.   

If individuals have further questions they are encouraged to visit the YMCA web page at www.penbayymca.org or contact Jasen Wood, Branch Executive Director at the Rockland Harbor YMCA at 593-8500 or via email at jwood@penbayymca.org.