Joint Statement from Raytown City & Schools on YMCA closing

Joint Statement from the City of Raytown and the Raytown Quality Schools
In Re: Closure of the Raytown YMCA
March 20, 2013

Raytown, MO?Mayor David Bower and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Allan Markley, along with other city and school district officials met with YMCA Chair CEO David Byrd and other Y officials yesterday, to ask for a six-month extension of the closing of the Richard C. Green YMCA and to examine options for keeping our local Y open and operational. Sadly, no resolution was reached.

 In yesterday’s meeting, the YMCA declared the value of the Richard C. Green YMCA at $3 million based on comparable Y’s. The Y is firm on this selling price. In addition, the Y is indicating $2.1 million dollars in deferred maintenance which the building will need. This large asking price and large maintenance totals are not inclusive of the annual $1.2 million needed to operate the facility.

Previously, the Y indicated that monthly operating costs would be approximately $18,000 to extend the closing date. Yesterday, that number rose to near $40,000, and if the Y lost any more money, interested parties would have to agree to cover those costs as well. The city and school district agree there is no way citizens can be asked to provide a blank check to cover the potential expenses.

 It is our belief that the YMCA’s decision is strictly based on monetary reasons and does not match the Y’s stated mission of enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being. We feel our outreach attempts were met with disinterest on the part of the Y and with a clear purpose to stick with the original intent to close the Raytown facility.

Both the city and the school district are disappointed in the short notice given to local citizens about the impending Y closure. Both groups had private meetings with Mark Hulet, Chief Strategic Alliance and Assets Officer, only days before the public announcement of the closure, limiting any actions the city or school district could have taken. However, yesterday’s inquiry regarding an extension was met with firm resolve on the part of the Y to stick to the original closing date.

 We regretfully inform our public about the lack of a positive joint resolution between the Y and the community, and we remain deeply discouraged and disappointed about the loss of the Raytown YMCA. Again, we were willing to work to come to a reasonable resolution, the YMCA was not. Our doors remain open.