County approves plans to fund YMCA projects, equipment

During a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Feb. 12, County Administrator Jeff Cadwell presented three items related to the local YMCA.

The first talking point was an architectural review related to the air-handling system and drains in the pool and locker room. The architectural review could arrive with a price tag of approximately $15,000. There remain significant challenges for the county’s maintenance department and their work to keep the YMCA operating. For example, the Y’s hot tub has been closed for the past week and will remain closed for at least two more weeks, Cadwell said. This highlights the fact the county needs to invest in the building so it functions well long term.

Commissioner Myron Bursheim, who said he frequents the local YMCA, acknowledged there are issues with the design and functionality of the building. There is rust in the locker rooms, water not draining properly and other issues that Bursheim has noticed, he explained. Reviewing how the building can be improved to operate more efficiently is a good investment, Bursheim said.

The second YMCA talking point was about a new bathroom at the Y that would allow for an expanded daycare facility. Commissioner Doo-Kirk said the building was not built to hold a daycare, but that need came up as urgent and extremely important for the community. Cost-cutting when the building was erected eventually came back to haunt the YMCA and county, and that it could be time to address those mistakes which are now causing issues at the building, according to Doo-Kirk. The cost for upgrading the bathroom would be $25,000 for the county. Supplemental funding would come from a series of grants.

The third item regarding the Y that was discussed Tuesday involves purchasing a new scrubber, which is a piece of equipment used to clean the pool deck and locker room floors. The price for this piece of equipment is $5,600.

All three items, the architectural review, the bathroom expansion and the purchase of a scrubber were voted on in separate motions. They were approved on 4-1,  4-0, or 5-0 votes, with Commissioner Bobby Deschampe voting against or appearing not to vote at all.

In total, the county board opted to spend approximately $45,000 on the YMCA. This amount is in addition to funds already bugeted for the YMCA in 2019. 

Prior to taking a vote on the YMCA funding, Commissioner Deschampe said local residents are frustrated with how much money the county spends on the building and the Y in general. Deschampe questioned why the Y itself, possibly from the base of operations in Duluth, does not contribute directly to some of these direct costs to the county.

Commissioner Dave Mills said he also hears from local residents about their frustrations with spending at the YMCA. However, in the case of the daycare, Mills said he hears more concerns about that topic than he does about how much money is spent on the Y. 

To hear more on this story, including comments from Tuesday's board meeting, listen to the audio posted below.