The YMCA’s Greater Syracuse Metro Board is still considering a recommendation from the Greater Baldwinsville YMCA regarding the Timber Banks location for the Northwest Family YMCA, which was made earlier this month.
While the Metro Board met Thursday, Sept. 20, they did not make a decision regarding the site.
“This decision will affect greater Baldwinsville and the YMCA of greater Syracuse for generations,” said Chris Iven, director of communications at YMCA of Greater Syracuse. “The metro board wants to make sure that they make a prudent decision but also want to do it in a timely manner. They are trying now to schedule a special meeting on the issue as soon as they can.”
Earlier this year, YMCA officials had narrowed their choices down to three sites: the Drakes Landing and Route 31 property, which has been highly contested; the property at Smokey Hollow Road Plaza in the village of Baldwinsville; and acreage along the southern edge of Timber Banks.
After hearing about the Greater Baldwinsville YMCA’s recommendation, Mayor Joseph Saraceni expressed disappointment.
“We tried hard to get the Y,” Saraceni said about the village’s efforts, which included a rally residents held earlier this year to encourage the board to choose the Smokey Hollow Road Plaza site. “I’m not against the Y, I’m against where they chose to put it.”
