ashe

Yes they do. Very similar to the program I described.

Don't 4H already offer after school programs here in the county?

That's fine to support the existing parks and recreation, but we have to actually fund and staff it properly. I'm not opposed to going this route but the county has to make a long-term investment to do so. The other thing that I can't imagine how much a pool that would meet the requirements to have swim meets would cost, and how much it would cost to maintain. In theory it's a good idea, realistically I don't know.

And don't forget the service's that the county couldn't provide that a YMCA could. It's more than a pool and a gym. My nephews are part of an after school program at a YMCA. Homework and tutoring services are available along with the recreational activities. Also, they provide snow day programs for kids. So great benefits to parents that are working.

There are pros and cons to both. In the end it's always about money, which option will cost the county less in the long run. I think the fact they are interested in bringing in a YMCA gives you the answer to that already.

Agreed, I would rather see that happen instead of bringing a YMCA into the county..With all the various recreation opportunities, why not put them to use!!!!

I agree with Cooper Farms. If there's extra money in the budget for recreation, then support the existing Parks and Recreation facilities. Build a pool for everyone to use. A kiddie pool for little ones and regulation sized pool for the high school swim meets. When the swim team is not using it, the public could pay to use it.

Well of course they are here for the money. If they were not looking for revenue they would not be considering this. The parks and rec to a great job with limited funding. Adding the services that a YMCA would provide would increase that funding. Its funny we want to keep government out of our lives but I see those same people say they want our local government to provide these same services..., but don't raise my taxes no matter what. I guess socialized Parks and Rec is ok but anything else is not.

The YMCA folks visiting Ashe county are part of a 10 million dollar payroll of th Northwestern NC YMCA

Do not be fooled. They are here for the money.

http://ymcanwnc.org/wp-cont...ncials.pdf

I didn't even like YMCA when Village People performed it...

That is that good ol' Christian spirit at work there back then. Sad but that's the way it was.

The YMCA was originally a method to keep the blacks out of the pools that the whites used by imposing financial barriers.

Those free programs are not free by any means.

A trouser trout in the cement pond.....LoL

The Wilkes Y has all those free programs for the Under privilege folks. A lot of times the pols are closed due to these peeps crapping in said pools.

As you look at the Y operation in Wilkes, they have a sizable building with a number of multiuse rooms, and indoor and outdoor pool as well as a full gym. they also have a number of ball fields surrounding the building. Family Central could be used in much the same way if the county wants to get out of the rec business in a big way.

ONLY, I like that idea. There is very little good use of that property so far. Just a money pithing pit. Something like having the Y there would possibly attract more interest for other uses to join. Like an "anchor store" at a shopping center.

Give the y all of it and mark 667K off the budget.

I fully agree Cooper....

Or, instead of raising a foundation of a millon dollars that the YMCA want to do, why not fund the parks and rec enough to do the program and build a regulation sided pool at the high school ?

Send the YMCA back to Winston Salem empty handed.

Seems that a Facebook post from the Mountain times regarding what will not be offered at the proposed new YMCA has got some folks questioning the needs for such a facility.