BAR HARBOR, Maine — Voters here resoundingly approved two warrant items that clear the way for an expansion of the Mount Desert Island YMCA.
The YMCA sits on town-owned property on Park Street. The “yes” votes on the two articles effectively clear the way for the YMCA to pursue an expansion project that would add 40 percent to the Park Street building’s footprint. According to Y officials, the expansion would include a warm-water therapy pool, additional locker rooms and a new fitness room.
According to Town Clerk Patricia Gray, Article 2 on the town warrant was approved 2,483 to 420; Article 3 was approved 2,282 to 521.
Article 2 asked voters to endorse several steps necessary for the YMCA’s expansion, including amending the YMCA’s 99-year lease. Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. plans to give the Y part of an abutting property on Edgewood Street, which would then be donated to the town. Another parcel of land on Edgecomb Street that is owned by the Y also would be donated to the town.
Article 3 changed the zoning of the Edgewood Street parcel now owned by the YMCA from residential to Village II, which is also necessary for the Y to expand there.
Follow Mario Moretto on Twitter at @riocarmine.
It should be named the “Bar Harbor YMCA” It should have been built in Somesville so everyone would have to travel to use it. We as a family have never been able to afford to use it.