Y partnership will fullfill vision

Dear editor:

In order to increase community involvement and implement an approach that has produced successful YMCAs, the Western Elmore County Recreation District is exploring a working relationship with the Treasure Valley YMCA.

The Treasure Valley YMCA has suggested the WECRD form a Community Leadership Development Committee. This committee will be charged with acting on behalf of the community in making decisions in regard to all matters pertaining to the planning of a Recreation Center/YMCA serving the greater Mountain Home community. The committee will provide guidance to all aspects of the planning, program and facility development, and financial and budget development.

While the WECRD has collected a large amount of data regarding community needs and interests, the YMCA process will update that information and will ensure both broad community input and comprehensive discussions with a wide range of community leaders.

One of the most important areas of concern that we have heard is sustainability -- will our community be able to sustain a facility after it is built? We are listening to these concerns. The WECRD will work with the YMCA to complete a study concerning operational feasibility. Building on this community input process, the WECRD will conduct a market study.

The time-line that the YMCA has given extends beyond our intended schedule to break ground. This time-table is required to do a thorough job of connecting community input with the sustainability study. We could break ground this fall as planned without the YMCA's participation; however, we believe it is in the best interest of the community to proceed with the YMCA in the community process that they have laid out.

Our vision is still to see a vibrant facility that meets the needs of our community. This process will help us to ensure that the facility is sustainable for our children and their grandchildren.

Mollie Marsh, president

Western Elmore County

Recreation District