Modesto YMCA gone after today, but programs could return
When YMCA leaders close their beloved McHenry Avenue facility today, they'll also close the door on 91 years of YMCA activity in Modesto.
But maybe not forever.
Selling the 45-year-old headquarters, with its cavernous gym, workout rooms and two swimming pools, should more than repay the YMCA's $2.18 million debt, if board members can get close to their $3.6 million asking price. The rest might be used to resurrect programs operating elsewhere or to bolster its Sierra summer camp, the only survivor of this week's folding.
There are 954 chartered YMCA associations in the United States, and about 8 percent of them don't have a primary facility, said Brad McDermott, spokesman for the YMCA of the USA.
"There are YMCAs across this country that have never had facilities," he said. "YMCAs run camps and programs at hospitals, schools and in partnership with (municipal) park and recreation departments."
YMCA of Stanislaus County's board of directors will remain intact and could someday oversee the return of "off-site, community-based programs such as child care, youth sports and family fun nights," YMCA Chief Executive Officer Phil McGovern said in a statement.
McGovern responded to several of The Bee's questions in an e-mail exchange Thursday, the day after announcing today's closing:
Q: You came when the YMCA already was deeply in debt (December 2007). Was it unrealistic to hope that you could rescue the Y?
A: No. At the time, it would have been difficult to forecast the effect of the economy on our YMCA.
Q: Some of your members have told us they are disappointed that you gave only three days of warning (before closing). Is that criticism misdirected?
A: I wish we could have provided notice sooner, but the board made its decision just this week.
Q: Please list the YMCA's major creditors and give us an idea of how this debt accumulated.
A: We won't release a list of creditors. I inherited the debt and couldn't speak with certainty as to how it accumulated. However, most of our debt is the result of loans and renovations.
Q: Please list current membership.
A: One thousand, two hundred eighty-one membership units, which equals 3,172 members overall.
Q: When and how should people expect to receive refunds?
A: We intend to use proceeds from the sale of the building to reimburse members. We will send them checks.
Q: How many full- and part-time employees do you have? How many in each category will be retained, and for how long? What work will be accomplished by those retained? How will you pay their salaries?
A: Six full-time employees and 20 part-time employees. We're still determining who will be retained and for how long.
Q: Please provide the number of children in child care and before- and after-school programs. How many do you anticipate transitioning to other organizations? Please name the organizations.
A: Forty in child care and 106 in before- and after-school. We have transitioned all of them to programs with other organizations, but we are not able to announce the organizations just yet. Parents will be notified as soon as we are.
Q: Do you still intend to produce audits? If so, for what purpose?
A: Yes, to bring us up to date.
Q: Do you still intend to replenish endowment funds with the sale of the building? How would this help, if no programs are left to benefit from the money?
A: Yes, to support Camp Jack Hazard.
Q: How and when should people register for Camp Jack Hazard? How will your reduced staff affect the success of that program?
A: People will be able to register on our Web site once registration opens March 9. We hire seasonal staff for the camp.
Q: Please share the status of the sale of the building. Are potential buyers indicating an interest in the equipment and facility, or just the land?
A: Discussions are ongoing with multiple interested parties. They're interested in the facility and the land.
Q: Where should people go for future news of the YMCA?
A: We will issue press releases for significant news and post them on our Web site. Otherwise, people can call our administrative offices at 578-9622.
Bee staff writer Garth Stapley can be reached at gstapley@modbee.com or 578-2390.
This story was originally published February 27, 2009 at 10:09 PM with the headline "Modesto YMCA gone after today, but programs could return."