McIntire Park, a state historical site, was recently named a most threatened historical site. What is threatening it….. a roadway and a YMCA. The roadway, a joint city, county, state effort, is being built despite the city’s own consultant’s warning that the road will be outdated in five years. The YMCA is an effort to provide facilities due to the deteriorating condition of Crowe Pool located a quarter of a mile west. The failure of the city to maintain its infrastructure is a primary reason to usurp the park for the YMCA. Though YMCA officials say the city came to them, this is not the case. The YMCA approached council and after looking at several sites in town, all on public land, decided to put their private club in the middle of one of the last open spaces in the park. It is interesting that their ground lease says, “In no event shall the Leased Property include the existing picnic shelters…….”, yet this is exactly where it will be located. YMCA officials sold the city council on the location by telling them it would serve the Charlottesville High School swim team and also provide facilities for the underprivileged, but closer inspections shows this site and the agreement with the city does little to promote use by Charlottesville’s underprivileged citizens.
Please feel free to check in on our blog as we discuss the flaws in the thinking of the city and the YMCA and why this ground lease will seriously compromise our park.
There are as many reasons to not put the YMCA in McIntire Park as there are trees in the park.
In order to serve those in need of the YMCA programs, put the structure in an area that is truly accessible to them. There have been several sites suggested but the mission seems to have changed. A very good site would be the Circuit City site. The building and parking are already there. The location is on the bus routes and accessible to both county and city residents. The money which would be used for building could be used more effectively to redesign the existing building.
Future benefactors will think twice before giving gifts to the city if what has been given previously is mismanaged.
Born and raised in Cvlle, hope to retire there. FYI – membership in the the YMCA in Norfolk, VA is $59 a MONTH for an individual and $84 a MONTH for family. We have private clubs that are less and the city recreation centers cost all of $25 a YEAR for a family of 4 or more. I don’t believe the YMCA has anymore to offer than the city recreation centers. If they do, then upgrade the rec centers; DO NOT TAKE AWAY what was given to the city for the use of its citizens.
Today, March 3,2010, site preparation has begun at McIntire. Is there nothing more we can do to stop this construction?
Sylvia- we are doing everything we can. The current building process in the park is core sampling for foundation design. They have not obtained building permits to begin construction. There are several things underway that I cannot comment on at this time. We hope tonight the board of supervisors cuts the YMCA’s funding from the county. This is an initial $2+ million and another $1.25 million in 2012. I want to thank all those who contributed to help us with our recent advertising. The last time I saw Mr Krueger we talked about the YMCA in the park. He referred to it as “MY” YMCA. I am afraid unless we stop him it will be HIS YMCA in our park. Now is the time for a call to action and for those reading this if you wish to make a donation please give me a call……..434 973-0836. Thank you……..Randy Page