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County also establishes YMCA development committee

COLUMBUS—The Polk County Board of Commissioners has made some moves over the last couple of months to get ready for a YMCA facility in the county. 

Commissioners met Monday and approved a project budget ordinance of $110,000 for a YMCA facility. 

Last month commissioners established a YMCA Development Committee and appointed members who will work on developing a facility with the YMCA in the county. 

Commissioners on Monday approved a budget amendment and a project budget ordinance for a future YMCA facility. 

County manager Marche Pittman said on Tuesday that the county has saved a significant amount of money by contracting with the YMCA-Greater Spartanburg for its programs and can use the money to offset architects or anything the county may need in the future. 

Polk County has been talking about partnering with the YMCA since March to run its recreational programs with plans in the future for the YMCA to have its own facility. For now, the YMCA is using the county’s facilities, including Gibson Park Pool, Stearns Gym and recreation fields. The summer day camp is being run by the YMCA this year and is being held at Tryon Elementary School. 

Commissioners approved a lease with the YMCA in June to run all the programs at the recreation department. 

The lease agreement includes that the county will allow the YMCA to use its facilities until and if the YMCA decides in the future to construct its own facility. 

The county agrees to allow the YMCA to lease one room with office space and storage at Stearns Gym; the classrooms, art room and gym at Stearns Gym for summer day camp; Stearns Gym for youth sports year round; Gibson Park Pool; Searcy Field and the county’s recreation complex at the middle school. The county included in the lease that the county will also have access to its facilities as needed.