Fate of Harrison County YMCA funding still up in the air

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A solution to funding repairs for the Harrison County YMCA’s headquarters on Lowndes Hill still seems to be up in the air even after an hour-long work session between multiple agencies.

After a 2-1 vote by the Harrison County Commission Thursday, the plan going forward is to split the cost between the county, the City of Clarksburg, the City of Bridgeport and the Harrison County Board of Education.

When asked if this was a plan that could work, the interim executive director of the YMCA said “I don’t know.”

“My reaction today is disappointment,” Max Francis said. “I was hopeful that we would get a commitment that would allow us to go forth with a specific plan for the YMCA.”

The YMCA previously presented to the commission a plan that would see $50,000 come their way through a grant and then $200,000 through a bond issue.

That money would go to patch holes in the roof above the aquatic center, install a new HVAC system in the pool area and improve the quality of the locker rooms.

With the cost now split four ways, Francis is not sure how each entity will react.

The City of Clarksburg has already committed $200,000 in purchasing the Lowndes Hill facility from the USDA, which currently holds it and the Lodgeville facility as collateral on a loan taken out by the previous board.

City Manager Martin Howe said this will be something he will have to bring both to the council and building commission.

“Obviously, we’ve made a big commitment through the city council and the building commission to move forward on acquiring the approximately 28 acres to save that property for not only the residents of Clarksburg, but more importantly for all the residents of the county and for historical aspects.”

He anticipates the total cost of their contribution to continue growing as yearly costs add up and as their plan to repair the road leading to the facility comes to fruition.

As for the Harrison County Board of Education, Superintendent Mark Manchin said it will also be something he has to run by a council before they can make a decision.

Currently, the school system pays the YMCA $10,000 per year in exchange for use of the aquatic facility for its swim teams throughout the county.

A series of questioning about the YMCA’s financial standing will be conducted, especially after it was learned they have been operating in the red for the past few years and without an increase in membership, it will do so again this year.

“After some discussion, I’ll do some review and vetting, and obviously whatever we would do to participate, we want to make sure we’re not facing the same issues next year and the year after or the year after,” Manchin said. “One of the major concerns I would have is the financial condition of the YMCA.”

The YMCA believes it has the funding to keep the pool open through the high school swim season and has tested the area to make sure it is safe from chloride and chloramine in the air.

In the meantime, the school system will look at alternative sites, such as Salem International University and Fairmont State University.

Though a majority of the commission went with Angotti’s motion to split the requested funding four ways, the county putting up the entirety of the funding is not off the table according to Commission President Ron Watson.

However, he would like to see it all come through a bond issue after consulting with the county’s bond counsel.

“I want the guarantee that the taxpayers don’t have any liability.”

While the YMCA has urged to county to make a decision soon due to their financial situation, a timetable for either plan has been put in place, leaving the future of the organization up in the air.