The YMCA did not re-open after the pandemic shutdown, and the city of Lino Lakes now owns the building.
A consultant told the city council, there’s strong potential for re-opening the building as a recreation and community center. The study even suggests services could be expanded at a lower cost to members.
“It’s got great bones, it’s a good facility, we think the potential’s there,” Stuart Isaacs of ISG Sports Group told the city council. “You look at what’s around it, with the apartments being built there, the senior assisted living center right across the street, the access to the trail, the access to the outdoor spaces. We think this has every element you need. If you were starting this from scratch you probably couldn’t come up with a better core model.”
Inside there’s an aquatic center, a gymnasium room for a workout center and community meeting space. The study by ISG analyzed programming, like enhanced swimming lessons. It recommended membership costs lower than what the YMCA had charged. It also analyzed how the operation should be managed. Should it be entirely run and operated by the city, or would a hybrid model work better with partners that bring in existing programs?
“What’s going to get us there in a hurry? What’s going to get us there in the most fashionable way in an effort to keep the costs down as far as membership dues,” asked Lino Lakes Mayor Rob Rafferty. “I think I’m leaning in the direction of still trying to get some additional answers, but in an effort to try to open up and have the professionals in place to do that, it looks like it might be more of a hybrid effort.”
The study found that approach had lower start up costs and the advantage of bringing in revenue and memberships more quickly. Another option is to sell the building. But Mayor Rafferty said that way you lose control over programs.
Residents urged the council to move forward to re-open it as the recreation center.
“It seems like the strongest case is made for the hybrid model, but I’ll leave that to you,” said Steve Heiskary of Lino Lakes. “Again I support the idea of going forward with this. This would be a big boon to the community.”
Gretchen Hubble told the council people are ready to return to recreation.
“I think there’s a really captive audience right now. Now’s the time. I think a lot of people will join. We have nothing, so I think this is a really good opportunity,” said Hubble.
Mayor Rob Rafferty suggested reaching out to other nearby communities.
“Yes, it’s in Lino Lakes, but at the same time this is a benefit for your residents as much as ours. If we can bring the costs down by working with the councils that way I think that would be a win-win for all the paying customers,” Rafferty.
The consultant estimates it will take six months to re-open one a recreation center is approved and funded.
“We think the ideas we threw together will work in this market based on what we’ve heard from potential partners. But then you get down to crossing the “T’s” and dotting the “I’s”. You have to make it a win-win for both,” said Stuart Isaacs.
The council voted to accept the report.
