Capital Campaign

 YMCA Project Update

  CEO Update – October, 2010

I am confident many of you have read/heard bits and pieces of information related to our ongoing capital project.  I’d like to give you a summary of our progress and status to date.

• A major milestone occurred when the Kingsport BMA approved issuing $15million in bonds for the construction of the Aquatics Center. 
• We have completed Design Development, and are approaching the 75% level of construction documents.  The YMCA will include locker rooms, administrative space, Childwatch, Family Adventure Center, group exercise rooms (cycling, small group, and large group), wellness area (strength, cardio, and free weights), and gym space.  We still would like to expand the wellness and gym, and add a meeting room.  Wellmont will have a small rehab space off the wellness area. 
• The aquatic center indoor facilities will include locker rooms, a warm water therapeutic/instructional pool, a family fun/play pool, and a lap/competition pool.  Also on tap is an outdoor water park. 
• The City has submitted its application for a permit for wetland mitigation.  As soon as the permit is issued, we should be ready and waiting to start the site work, get the construction bids, and then start construction on both projects.
• As for the relationship and the operation of the facility, we have received final approval from both the YMCA Board of Directors and the City’s BMA on three agreements—Ground Lease, Management Agreement, and Development Agreement.  
• In a nutshell, there will be separate entrances and locker rooms with a shared lobby.  The YMCA will allocate a portion of all YMCA membership fees to the aquatics operation and will manage all the aquatics. Members of the YMCA will have direct and efficient access to the aquatic facilities through the YMCA locker rooms. 
• Assuming all pieces continue on the current timeline, we could be moving in the new complex by late spring of 2012.
• It is important to keep reminding ourselves that, while proceeding with this collaborative project has lengthened our timeline, the resulting facilities/complex will be something all of us can certainly be proud of.  Our BMA has taken a big and progressive step in improving the quality of life in the Kingsport area and can be commended for it. 

Sincerely,

Charles W. Glass, CEO