Is the City giving $25 million plus land
to the YMCA? Councilmember Don Gerend: The City is NOT giving land and $25 million to the Y.
The City will own both the facility and land. In fact, the Y is contributing
over $6 million to the project and covering operating and maintenance expenses.
This will be OUR community/aquatic center.
Where does the $25 million come from? Mayor Tom Odell: $14 million of the
total are parks and recreation capital funds. The Council moved several
projects forward, beyond 2015, to free parks capital funds for the community/aquatic
center. The community/aquatic center is a parks and recreation project. $11 million is from reserves.
Why does the City want to partner with
the Y? Councilmember
Tom Vance: The Y has nearly 140 years of experience operating and
maintaining community/aquatic centers. The Y provides services and programs for
all ages and abilities. They are the best fit for the City’s goal of keeping
costs low for citizens.
What will the Y do with the profits? Y Executive Marcia Isenberger: The Y is a non-profit, 501(c)3 charity. We are membership-based,
but also must depend on donations, fundraising, and grants. All our membership
fees are put back into operations and maintenance. Our programs and services
are for children, teens, families and seniors. About 25% of our members receive
financial assistance. And day passes are always available.
Will the new community center put private
fitness clubs out of business? Tom Vance: There is no evidence for that. Private fitness clubs cater
to healthy adults. The local clubs are not child friendly; they do not serve
the needs of families, seniors or disabled citizens. All over the country, private
fitness clubs co-exist with community centers and YMCAs. The Sammamish Review
reported, recently, that a new fitness club has opened near the successful Coal
Creek Y, joining several other private clubs in the area.
Shouldn’t we invest the $25 million on
roads or Town Center? Don Gerend: The City has invested more than $250 million on
infrastructure during our 13-year history. Street conditions in Sammamish are
better than in almost any other city in Washington. We spend more than $3
million every year on maintenance – higher per lane mile than any city in the
state. We have busy six-year plans in roads, sidewalks, and storm water
projects. As for the Town Center, the Council just voted to set aside $4.5
million for Town Center infrastructure and planning costs. We believe that “development
pays for development.” Some cities have sunk many millions into town center
projects and have waited decades for a return on investment. We have learned
from their mistakes.
Can we afford the new Community Center? Mayor Odell: The City has little debt
and has earned a AAA bond rating due to solid financial practices. After construction,
the City will still have more than four times our Operating Budget Strategic
Reserve, or “rainy day” fund available. Sammamish may be the only city in the
state that could build such a valuable recreational asset without raising taxes
or going into debt. Yes. We can afford it.
“Anything that can help keep us and
especially our children healthy and active has my vote!” Mary Trask, ARAS Foundation