Community center discussion most fruitful dialogue yet

Thursday, August 20, 2015

After two days of huddling with interested local citizens and engaging involved community leaders, YMCA officials are now infused with energy and armed with information about the possibility of a Greencastle community center.

While local residents have talked about the idea of a community center for decades, the current possibility -- which involves the city funding construction of a facility that would be run by the Wabash Valley YMCA -- appears to be the most viable option ever.

With Mark Evans (standing) facilitating the session, one of the groups of local leaders discussing the possibility of a Greencastle YMCA/community center interacts Thursday morning at the Area 30 Career Center. City Councilman Mark Hammer (kneeling) writes down the group's suggestions as Gwen Morris (left), Mayor Sue Murray and others delve into the social issues they see impacting the community. Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

"We've talked about a 'Y' and/or community center for 30 years, or at least since I've been here," Mayor Sue Murray told more than two dozen community leaders who were invited to a breakfast gathering Thursday at the Area 30 Career Center. "This is the closest we've ever come."

And while more than 600 local residents responded to an online YMCA survey and dozens more attended community interest sessions at City Hall on Wednesday, the issue won't likely be resolved until the end of the year, Deborah Ringo, chief executive officer of the YMCAs of the Wabash Valley, said.

"People have called our office for years and asked, 'What do I need to do to get a YMCA (for Greencastle)," Ringo said, explaining she would then routinely provide the caller a list of seven or eight necessary steps and "never hear from them again."

But with the funding for a building possible through a recent city bond issue and the extended life of the city's TIF (tax-increment financing) district, "This is the time," said Ringo, who was joined for the local sessions by Wade Hampton of the national YMCA office in Chicago.

"But if you hear that the Y's going to do this or going to do that or that a location has already been picked, none of that is true," Ringo stressed.

As CEO of the Wabash Valley YMCAs, she explained that the group had originally hoped for 400 responses to an online survey earlier this summer but instead received 642 responses with contact information even supplied by more than half of those respondents.

"We're so excited about the turnout," added Ringo, who admits Greencastle is "close to my heart" as she started her YMCA career at the Ridpath after-school program site in 2003.

She also noted that the YMCA is "not just a building." It is a community partner in three major areas -- youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

"Our drive is to strengthen the community," Ringo said. "We want to intentionally impact peoples' lives."

Ringo and Hampton gathered local leaders' responses Thursday to seven major questions they see tied to the possible development of a local community center. They were:

-- What are the critical social issues or pressing problems facing our community at this time?

-- What specific programs and resources could the YMCA help to develop in Greencastle to address the needs identified?

-- How could the YMCA play a greater role in building the strength of our community?

-- In what ways could the YMCA help adults, youth and teens practice healthy habits that include physical activity and health living?

-- One of the priorities of the YMCA is to help families, children and youth learn, grow and thrive. What could the YMCA do to be more effective in this area?

-- What features or facilities could be part of the proposed Greencastle YMCA in order to be effective in meeting the community's needs?

"After we're done today, the YMCA folks will talk and see whether or not we're a good fit for them," Mayor Murray said before the gathering broke into four groups.

Ringo, meanwhile, explained that the material and suggestions assembled will be "treated as expert information."

That data will be forwarded to the YMCA's feasibility committee, which will sum things up by the end of the year and make its decision, hopefully coming back to the community with a wish list for a community center.

Regardless, Ringo said she will continue to stay in close contact with Mayor Murray about the progress of the community center venture.

"Hopefully," she added, "we can get it wrapped up before she leaves office (Dec. 31)."

Mayor Murray said she'd like to see something resolved before the end of the year.

However, City Attorney Laurie Hardwick noted that there is no expiration date attached to the bond issue, which has a fallback position of providing funding for local infrastructure should the community center idea not fly.

"We've already done what we need to do (on the bond issue)," Hardwick said, noting that there is no danger of forfeiting the TIF extension should it take until 2016 for the project to successfully get under way.

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  • The question is "is the YMCA only for Greencastle residents"? This is what always happens the town forgets it is the town seat to the county.

    -- Posted by Hazel on Fri, Aug 21, 2015, at 8:15 AM
  • It does say greencastle YMCA/community center. I dont see it saying putnam county ymca/putnam community center. The mayor I guess is the only dictator here.

    -- Posted by canttakeitanymore on Fri, Aug 21, 2015, at 2:53 PM
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