For your consideration ...
I oppose the building of the YMCA. First, projected operating cost? Who is going to fund the daily cost of operating? It's a GYM. We have many Gyms - most closed due to COVID and home gym equipment. The other issue, the leadership at the YMCA (selling this to the county/state/federal) spend most of their (powerpoint presentation) about the benefits of the swimming pool. WHAT? You do know the YMCA is going to be built literally next to the county swimming pool. 2 Pools next to each other? Without the Pool - the YMCA is truly just another Gym! I vote NO.
It appears that the YMCA themselves were going to fund the normal operating costs, after being given a free brand new over $22 Million dollar state of the art building. Well shiat! Who wouldn't want a deal like that? I'd love for someone to build me a new house and I only take care of the normal monthly expenses. This is the worst form of corporate welfare that I've ever seen, regardless if it is a non-profit organization. If this had come to pass, the YMCA would have had absolutely no skin in the game. The delegates did right by St. Mary's County by not sending such an abysmal request to Annapolis.
It was, and still is, a very shitty proposed deal for the residents of St. Mary's County. For an organization headquartered in Chicago Illinois. I'm pretty sure the people of St. Mary's County can, and already does, take care of themselves without spending such a large sum on one project.
This is not a loss for St. Mary's, but an actual win.
Here is the link to their financial statements. They have enough to fund it themselves if they so want to have a presence in St. Mary's.
Learn more about the YMCA's mission, programs and finances. Read information on our IRS Form 990, related financial documents and National Impact Reports.
www.ymca.org