The City of Lebanon has proposed taking over the YMCA’s operations at the Cowan Civic Center.
Last week, the Ozarks Regional YMCA responded with a presentation at the city council’s Monday work session meeting.
On Monday of last week, YMCA representatives told the council that they want to continue serving the community. They said the local YMCA has 2,785 members, gets 56,750 annual visits, has 692 program participants and has served 11,416 individuals through programs and events.
Tricia Meinhold, executive director of Ozarks Regional YMCA told the council that the YMCA is working to provide a place where people feel welcomed and not isolated, which she said is becoming a problem for both older and younger people.
“This is a big national initiative that the YMCA is also undertaking to combat that improve our facilities to accommodate and allow for programming there,” she said.
Brandi Udelhoven, Lebanon/Dallas County executive director, told the council that one in every seven residents living in Lebanon have an active membership at the YMCA, just over 560,00 visits.
“Currently, our software holds 11,416 individuals that have come through the doors of the Y in the last 12 months,” she said. “We had our chili cook-off, which is how we raise money for our annual campaigns, the financial assistance program that we do offer to make sure that nobody is turned away due to the inability to pay, we are based on the same sliding fee scale that the school district here in Lebanon uses. There's a whole list of things we do, including blood drives for the Red Cross.”
She also mentioned swim meets and the swimming pool.
“Swim lessons are huge for the YMCA. I want to make sure that every kid remains safe or on water here in Lebanon, we are surrounded by lakes, creeks, and so making sure that those kiddos come in and have access to those swim lessons is very important,” Udelhoven said.
She said YMCA also helps participants become familiar with the available exercise equipment, which she said was not always the case at commercial gyms.
That program is amazing, and it helps people of all ages,” she said.
She said Biddy basketball is her personal favorite program that her son participated in. “The independence the kiddos gain in that five weeks just is amazing,” she said.
They told the council that memberships include unlimited classes such as Zumba and Aqua Fit. Discounts, nationwide access and virtual classes.
Shawna Bradley of the YMCA said she sees an opportunity for the YMCA and the city to work together.
“We don't have to look at this as an either-or situation,” she said. “With the right programs, the right communication and the willingness from both sides to work together, I truly believe we can create partnerships that would benefit everyone.”
Councilman Dan Mizell also addressed the issue in comments at the meeting and noted that the city has data to look at.
“I’m going to continue to review the surveys that have been submitted,” he said. “I would note that more people disapprove than approve of indoor recreational facilities for all ages including the YMCA and the city of Lebanon from the basic data we have here, I think more management is definitely necessary. I think more discussion are definitely necessary before this decision is made.”
Council Chuck Jordan said his mind is not yet made up on this issue.
“We don’t take it lightly either,” he said.
The council also heard more comments of support for keeping the YMCA during the public comments portion of the meeting. there is an opportunity for the YMCA and the city to work together. We don't have to look at this as an either worse situation with the right programs, the right communication and the willingness from both sides to work together, I truly believe we can create partnerships that would benefit everyone.
The council has not made a decision at this time.
The fitness facilities opened with the building in 1996. According to information from the city, the facilities belong to the citizens of Lebanon, and the city ran it directly through Parks and Recreation until 2010. Since then, the Ozarks Regional YMCA has leased the space from the city, run all the programming, and kept the membership revenue.
The city has continued to cover utilities and major equipment costs and pays $35,000 a year for employee family memberships. The current lease ends June 30, 2027.
According to a press release issued by the city in August, “The City Council asked city staff to explore whether the City should resume operating this recreation space directly when the current lease ends. The goal, if this moves forward, is to expand what’s offered for the community, not just maintain what exists today. Nothing has been decided; this is early in that conversation.”
In his presentation to the Council, Schulte said the space would operate as a community amenity, not as a fully self-supporting business. He said there would be a small daily fee for use of the gym, pool and fitness center and some open gym and open swim hours would be made available at no charge.
Hours would extend to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends (staffing dependent). The Civic Center walking trail would be open the same hours.
Schulte said the city would try to retain as many current YMCA staff members as possible.
