The YMCA drew more than 100 people to the December Lysander Planning Board meeting, a number which was “far more than [the] average planning board meeting,” said Karen Rice, planning board clerk.
YMCA officials presented the site plan for the Northwest Family YMCA to the board Monday Dec. 21. It was the first step to securing planning board approval for the site plan for the new YMCA, which will be built at the corner of Route 31 and Drake’s Landing in Radisson.
“We are very excited to be presenting our initial site plan for the Northwest Family YMCA to the planning board. This plan is the result of many years of hard work by our volunteers and staff,” said Hal Welsh, executive director of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse. “We will work with the planning board to make modifications they believe necessary and we will continue to fundraise to build the Northwest Family YMCA. [This] presentation is an important step in the process to make the Northwest Family YMCA a reality.”
The plans include input from YMCA staff, building experts, traffic experts, landscape architects, realtors, state and local officials and area residents.
“We’ve listened to all of the various opinions and are presenting a plan that, in our opinion, meets the needs of the Northwest suburbs,” said Cindy Dowd Greene, president of the Baldwinsville YMCA Board of Managers. “The Northwest Family YMCA is truly being built by the community, for the community.”
Scott, Freeman, Kepplinger-Freeman presented the plans to the board, however, nothing was discussed by board members and public comments were not accepted. A public hearing will be scheduled within 62 days once town engineers (Barton & Loguidice) deem the application complete.
While many attendees were in favor of the Baldwinsville YMCA (many wore “I Support The Y” buttons), not everyone at the meeting was there in support. Families For Real, a group of Radisson residents opposed to the proposed location of the YMCA, were also present at the meeting. The group wants a Baldwinsville YMCA, but believes Radisson’s Corporate Park would be a better location for it.
Making it possible
Fundraising for the Northwest Family YMCA started in 2001 and to date the group has secured more than $10 million through financing and fundraising. In the first half of 2006, the YMCA purchased the 22-acre lot at the corner of Drake’s Landing and Route 31, after considering many sites in the area.
“Our next step is to continue to fundraise to build the building and participate in working meetings with the engineer,” said Kristin Atkinson, YMCA Public Relations Coordinator.
Once complete, the two story, 98,000-square-foot building will include an aquatics center with three indoor pools; a center that will be used by seniors during the day and teens when school is out; a field house with three basketball courts and seven sports courts; fitness studios; a health and wellness center; and an art and music center.
“We need a YMCA, we want a YMCA, we will have a YMCA in our community. If anything, this project is long overdue, but when it is built, it will be right for our needs,” said Jim Sollecito, co-chairman of the YMCA facilities committee.
YMCA officials estimate a public hearing will take place in February or March at which point public comments will be heard.
Facts about Northwest Family YMCA
- 98,000 square feet on two floors
Total acreage of the property: 22.10 acres
Acreage to be developed: 12 acres
Acreage to remain undeveloped: 10.10 acres
Traffic study determined Drake’s Landing, a major feeder road, can adequately handle vehicles traveling to the YMCA
Total parking spots: 348
Anticipated new members: 13,000 new members including 1,800 new low-income members, 750 senior members, 2,500 families and 7,000 children.
Approximately 300 jobs will be created
