It's A Go; YMCA Coming To South Shore

After years of begging for a YMCA in the South Shore area, residents got their wish Wednesday, Aug. 7 when Hillsborough County commissioners unanimously agreed to kick in $2 million to build a YMCA branch off Big Bend Road next to Vance Vogel Park.

Construction of the newest Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA will be a public/private partnership between the county and the nonprofit YMCA.

Tom Looby, chief executive officer and president of the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA, called it a win-win for both the Y and the county.

“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years now,” he said. “We were getting consistent calls from residents in the area asking for a Y. So we did a study that showed, if we build it, they will come.”

Looby said residents specifically wanted a facility located on Big Bend Road between U.S. 301 and Interstate 75, accessible to residents of Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Wimauma and Gibsonton.

At a public meeting on the subject July 23, Looby said the 80 people attending were overwhelmingly in favor of building the Y. Not only will it provide free and low-cost recreational opportunities for foster and low-income families in the area but will generate 125 jobs, many going to teens.

“We have a great track record working together with the county,” said Looby, noting this will be the fifth public/private partnership between the Y and Hillsborough County. The county also helped the Y build the Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA, two YMCA pools and a teen center.

“We combine our assets with the county to build the facility and the Y is responsible for 100 percent of the operating costs,” said Looby. “I think it’s a great thing.”

Laura Randall of Apollo Beach agreed. A single mom raising three children, she was one of the residents who beseeched the Y to build a facility in South Shore.

“We need facilities down there to enable all four of us to lead healthy lives,” she said. “We’ve seen the positive impact the Y has had on other communities.”

But not everyone in South Shore believes building a Y is the best use of county dollars.

Apollo Beach resident Logan Sultenfuss, owner of the Apollo Beach Racquet & Fitness Club, said 40 health clubs, day-care centers and karate schools in the area would be hurt by the addition of a YMCA.

He also was concerned that the the location was too far away to serve low-income Wimauma residents.

Under the partnership with the county, the county will lease the 36-acre property to the YMCA for 30 years and kick in $2 million for the construction.

Tom Fass, facilities management services director for the county, the county’s $2 million will go toward the first phase consisting of three multipurpose fields, a playground, picnic pavilion, a covered basketball court, parking and drainage improvements. The YMCA is responsible for the remaining $1.5 million to construct the first phase. That first phase will be completed in April 2015.

The Tampa YMCA then will be responsible for the construction of the second phase consisting an aquatics center and third phase including the main facility and additional parking.

The total estimated cost is $8.5 million. The facility is expected to be completed in three to five years, depending upon the success of the YMCA’s fundraising efforts.

County Commissioner Sandra Murman made the motion to approve the agreement with the Y.

“The people of south county do deserve this,” she said. “We have almost 80 percent of our foster families living in east and south county, and foster families go to the Y for free. It will employ 125 people and enhance the quality of life in south county. While I’m heartened by the comments of people who talk about how it will hurt their businesses, I haven’t seen evidence of this at other Y’s.”

Commissioner Victor Crist, however, wanted assurances that the YMCA will continue to reduce or waive fees for foster and low-income families.

“As a not for profit charity, we’re required to provide public benefits,” replied Looby. Last year we provided $8 million in waived fees for foster and low-income families.”