ROCKLAND, Maine — The City Council gave unanimous preliminary approval Monday evening to a lease with the Penobscot Bay YMCA to offer recreation programs out of the community building.
Mayor Frank Isganitis voiced support for the agreement, asking why the city would not want to partner with a global organization with a legendary record of philanthropy.
A formal public hearing and final vote is scheduled for Sept. 14. City Manager James Chaousis said he also planned to schedule a public meeting for the first week of September with officials from the YMCA to offer an update on the transition and to answer questions from residents.
The proposed lease would begin Oct. 1 and last for three years. The city would provide a subsidy of $84,000 for the first year — that would run through June 30. In the second year, beginning July 1, 2016, the city would provide a $130,000 subsidy to the YMCA. A subsidy amount has not yet been determined for the following year.
The city also would be responsible for utilities and maintenance at the community building.
The east wing on the first floor of the community center building used by the Rockland District Nursing Association would not be included in the lease of the building. The city also would be able to use the community building for community events such as voting.
At a meeting on July 15, YMCA officials said they would retain the youth sports programs such as basketball and soccer as well as the summer day camp, which are offered by the Rockland recreation department.
While the cost for participation in those programs would increase, YMCA Chief Executive Officer Troy Curtis repeatedly pointed out that no one would be turned away because of an inability to pay and that the YMCA offers financial assistance.
Curtis said youths who want to come to the recreation center to hang out will need to get a membership. There will be no cost for memberships for youths in eighth grade or younger. Membership costs for older students will be $17 per month.
Adults will need to have a membership to use the recreation center, and cost will vary based on household income.
The YMCA allows members to use its facilities, which are in Rockport and on the Rockland waterfront.
People also will be able to pay a daily fee for using the recreation center.
One significant change that was outlined last month involves the hours of operation of recreation programs at the community building. The proposal calls for the YMCA to be open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays during the school year. The recreation center will be closed during the summer when the facility has been least used.