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3 <br /> Mr. Svetz said he thinks the YMCA could serve the competitive swimming need. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that if we offer learn to swim programs, the participants in <br />those programs will want to do competitive swimming later, and we should plan for that. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to see if we can try to build a new facility. He said <br />perhaps we can also create more green space. He said we need more specifics on the <br />cost. He said both of the pools are now tremendously inefficient, and replacing them <br />makes sense. He suggested that staff come back in a month with the cost to create a new <br />facility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris agreed and said we should hold off on making any repairs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro agreed, but said he would like more information. He said he is in <br />favor of a new pool. <br /> <br /> Mr. Svetz said a schematic design can be done in conjunction with the Boys and <br />Girls Club. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said if we build a new pool at Smith, it takes the operating costs for <br />Crow off the table. She said she is in favor of both decisions points. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked Mr. Svetz to give some thought as to what it might look like to <br />have a single combined facility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he thinks decisions one and two have to be made before making a <br />decision on the YMCA proposal. He said he really wants to know the specifics on the <br />neighborhood centers and Smith before making a decision on the YMCA. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he disagrees with Mr. Lynch about one and two being the most <br />important decisions. He said the real problem is with the lack of positive activities for <br />teens. He said the YMCA is not a lower priority for him. <br /> <br /> Mr. Svetz said there is the opportunity for the City to partner with the YMCA on <br />a 75,000 square foot facility on the west side of McIntire Park adjacent to Charlottesville <br />High School. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kurt Kruger, YMCA Board Member, presented an overview of the YMCA <br />mission. He said the goal is to build a 75,000 square foot facility for Charlottesville and <br />Albemarle residents, at an estimated cost of $14 to $15 million. He said they are <br />conducting a $10 million capital campaign, and have received a $2 million pledge from <br />Albemarle County. He said they would like the City to pledged $2 million as well. He <br />said the YMCA will never come back to the City to ask for operating costs. He said the <br />YMCA serves children, teens, young adults and seniors. He said the YMCA builds on <br />programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club. He said they have raised $7 million and <br />have a $300,000 grant from the Perry Foundation that requires that they have a ground <br />lease by September 30, 2007. He said Piedmont Virginia Community College has agreed <br />to give them property for a facility. He said they would like the City to agree to partner <br />with the YMCA and work out a ground lease agreement. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked if the land value figures into the pledge amount requested. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kruger said the proposal is that the City give the land in addition to the $2 <br />million. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said his concern is that people tend to look at parks as unused land. <br />He said if we give four acres to the YMCA, where do we get the extra four acres of <br />parkland. He said the park land is probably worth more than $2 million. <br /> <br /> Mr. Svetz said the parkland has been assessed by the City Assessor at $240,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch expressed concern that the assessment is much too low. <br /> <br />