The highlights are:
- the facility is scheduled to open in the afternoon on November 19, 2009
- the current facility will no longer be open after November 15, 2009
- our rates will increase $8/month, which will help the YMCA bring new and exciting offerings to our community through this state-of-the-art facility.
- we now have access to the South City YMCA on Sublette Ave.
- you can check out these new offerings at Sneak Peek Week: Nov. 7-8 and 14-15 from 10 am to 4 pm and Nov. 9-13 from 9 am - 7 pm
- there is a parade on Nov. 19 at 3 pm which will go from Loughborough and Vermont to Holly Hills then across the I-55 bridge to Carondelet Park Rec Plex. A ribbon cutting will follow.
Ironic. I just a got a letter from Gary Bess addressing my concerns regarding the Rec Plex.
ReplyDeleteI'm still miffed that The Plex will not have daily passes like Center of Clayton, Riverchase, The Heights or The Pointe. I don't know why they just didn't keep the Carondelet YMCA name intact...
^I could see members getting miffed if day passes were allowed. I mean, why have to pay the $125 additional pool fee if others can just come for $5 a day or whatever. There could be some overcrowding issues as well with day passes. Not saying it's right or wrong, just saying.
ReplyDeleteI hope the north side rec plex will be handled in a similar fashion to the Carondelet rec plex.
No one seems to be miffed when I go to The Heights et al. and there is not an overcrowding issue at any of those recreation centers.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice that those municipalities give residents a break on membership or daily passes. As a nonresident, I pay extra but I didn't expect to have to pay for a membership for a city facility that's being billed as a recreation center.
Also, I'm aware that the break for city residents is a waved enrollment fee.
I have a membership to a gym that's half the price of a YMCA membership. I like the Y and I learned to swim at the Carondelet branch; so, it holds fond memories for me. I obviously have a choice in the matter and, in the end, it looks like I'll have to take my money out of the city when I want to use a pool.
It actually looks like it would be cheaper, as a nonresident, to have a membership at The Heights than at the Y.
C'est la vie, I guess.
^'Drea, yes the Heights is cheaper than the Carondelet facility. Maybe the city is becoming the new "high rent district"??? Posh indeed. I live so close, this will be my best option. The thought of my kids riding their bikes to and from will offset the cost savings of them going somewhere further away.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your take on this?
ReplyDeletehttp://notmymayor.com/2009/10/11/let-the-sun-shine-in-one-week-and-8-20-later-the-facility-operating-and-cooperative-agreement-for-the-carondelet-park-recreation-center/
^Doug, this is some fascinating stuff. Thanks for sharing. While I agree with this perspective that the city gave away the farm on this one, I can't keep getting upset at our lazy politicians who broker these "deals". All I can do is vote or run against them. I don't have the time at this point in my life to run against them (lame excuse, I know), nor does anyone run against these guys (Wessels, Villa).
ReplyDeleteI must say I am taking a selfish look at this issue. Expensive? Yes, but I am paying a steep fee already for the YMCA and quite honestly it's a luxury expense so I don't feel sorry for anyone who can't afford to go. My long term concern is how would the city be able to keep this place clean, safe and functioning for years to come? I think the Y has a better track record that the city when it comes to running pools and gyms and taking care of property. The Loughborough Y is clean as a whistle and I've never had a problem with any other members. I think the Y will keep the rec plex top notch for years to come, and for that I'm happy.
Thanks for linking to this important perspective! Keep up the good work on the NorthSide projdect!