A look at the Skaneateles Community Center
This is the first informational piece focusing on our Community Center, its owner the Skaneateles Recreational Charitable Trust, and the YMCA -the operator. Far too many of our village and town residents are confused, or have not been informed of the organizational structure that comprises our wonderful community center that functions seven days a week serving thousands of our residents of all ages with no tax dollars supporting it.
We are a very fortunate community to have this gem in our midst, but its continued existence is not a foregone conclusion. Please stay informed and help us protect this community gem.
A Vision for the future
In 1998 and 1999 business man and visionary W.G. Allyn dreamed of developing a community center to operate as a first class recreational health and fitness facility with swimming pools, ice rinks, a fitness center, meeting rooms and day care facilities. It was Mr. Allyn’s vision that this “community center” would be funded through charitable donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. The center would function as a nonprofit facility and provide a myriad of services to people of our community.
In 2000 Mr. Allyn’s vision became a reality when our community center was built. As envisioned, the building was funded by charitable donations at no expense to our town or village government. Almost 20 years later our community center serves thousands of community members in the many ways envisioned by W.G. Allyn, still through charitable donations.
The Skaneateles Recreational Charitable Trust- Purpose and role
The SRCT, renamed sec, is a not for profit entity comprised of a group of dedicated volunteers who diligently work at promoting W.G. Allyn’s vision of serving the community through the facilities’ maintenance and improvement, The SRCT /SCC is entrusted with insuring that the building which houses our center and serves our community continues to stand as a first class facility. The challenge for the trust is to fund an endowment that will pay for capital repairs and improvements as the building and its components begin to age. Among the facilities that need to be maintained are the aquatic center, ice rinks, gymnasium, fitness center, childcare locations, and large building mechanical units. Funding for this task must be accomplished according to Mr. Allyn’s vision- through charitable donations to the trust.
The YMCA- Purpose and role
Almost 10 years ago the SRCT /SCC contracted with the YMCA to manage all activities and operations of our community center. As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA is able to provide a variety of programs and services at affordable rates to community members and groups, with the primary source of revenue being membership fees. The YMCA is not charged with funding capital building repairs and improvements. Annually, the YMCA conducts a campaign that funds scholarships to help community members who are unable to afford YMCA membership or program fees. Charitable donations to this fund are used exclusively for scholarship purposes; none of the gifts received through this campaign go toward maintaining the community center building or its major components.
The SYCC hosts many local organizations including the Skaneateles High School Boys and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey and Girls Varsity Swim Team, Skaneateles Youth Hockey Assoc., Skaneateles Figure Skating Club, Central NY Flyers-Sled Hockey Team, Grey Wolves [senior hockey club] and Lightning Swim Team. Additionally, the SYCC provides swimming lessons for all ages, pre-school for 2,3,4 year olds, before & after school child care, summer camp, schools out programs, family events, a fully equipped strength and cardio facility, 80+ fitness classes each week including water fitness and senior programs, figure skating and ice hockey programs for all ages. Collaborations with the school district, Chamber of Commerce, Laker Limo and Skaneateles Library, strengthen community offerings.
Together we will succeed
In the coming weeks we’ll look deeper into a number of the YMCA’s programs, activities, and operations and how they positively impact our community. We’ll try to create a better understanding and appreciation of our “Community Gem” and all that it does in serving our community. We’ll discuss the difficulty of continually funding an aging facility- the charge of the SRCT. Hopefully, through a series of informational articles our community center will continue to thrive through charitable donations as envisioned by Mr. W.G. Allyn.
