YMCA statement
Ms. Jane Egan, President & CEO Meadowlands Area YMCA, presented the following offer at the RBOE meeting on April 30, 2018 (video replay available here).
Ms. Egan began her comments by noting the wonderful partnership that has existed between the RBOE and the YMCA over so many years and how proud she is of the Community Program and how that has benefited the Rutherford community. When the YMCA was asked to take over and run the pool in 2002 they assumed most of the expenses and increased the programs being offered. Ms. Egan outlined many of the costs and expenses that had been removed from the RBOE budget under this agreement. She went on to state that their new pool was built with the realization that one pool was not adequate to offer all of the aquatics programs and services that are needed and wanted by the community and that this is not uncommon. It is seen throughout the state that many YMCAs operate more than one pool in order to service the needs of the community and that they have plans for many new initiatives now that both pools are available.
In February when Mr. Hurley and Mr. Kelly spoke with Ms. Egan they had made it clear that if an alternative construction plan could be identified it would be important for the YMCA to make a larger financial and longer term commitment. In response to this the YMCA executive board authorized an offer with a goal where the BOE would have little to no expense or responsibility for the operation, the maintenance and the direct capital improvements of the pool in exchange for the YMCA having a long term 20 to 25 year agreement to use the pool to conduct programs for the community. The longer term commitment would enable the Y to absorb and pay for the capital improvements needed (HVAC, boiler, resurfacing, wrap of the building, roof etc.). The exact terms would need to be negotiated between the two parties but the result would be an expanded partnership with the YMCA taking on more of the financial responsibility of the operations of the facility.
Ms. Megan White, Aquatics Director YMCA, also spoke of the new programs that can be offered. She explained that having both pools would allow for more extensive programs to be offered to the Rutherford Recreation Department and to Rutherford pre-schools. She mentioned a program which will be offered to all residents in the community, an extensive program that will continue all through the summer, that was part of the Community Pool Program, and that they hope to continue through the school year. She discussed the free 2nd grade swim lesson that would be offered next winter with the hope of teaching more and more kids how to swim. She also expressed fears (that if the pool were to be demolished) the Rutherford High School Swim team might be forced to disband giving many students no outlet in the winter months. The Y is a non-profit organization, whose mission is youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.