Mayor Megan Barry has asked the members of the Metro Parks Board to postpone the vote to put the Northwest Family YMCA into Metro's hands until September.
Mayor Barry released the following statement asking the board to defer the vote by one month on Friday.
“My goal in partnering with the YMCA is to ensure that the Bordeaux community continues to have access to a great fitness and recreation facility. When the YMCA leadership approached my administration with this proposal, I believed it was important for Metro to step up and commit to maintaining operations as the most viable option for long-term sustainability of this facility. It also provides us the opportunity to work with the community to build upon the great work of the YMCA and offer more services to benefit the community.
“It is clear from conversations with members of the community that more work needs to be done to deliver this message to the Bordeaux community. I’m asking the Metro Parks Board to defer this proposal until September so further community engagement can take place that will allow the Y and Metro to explain why we believe this proposal is in the best interest of the community long-term, while also hearing feedback and answering questions about the future of this facility. I believe with the support of the community and the YMCA, this facility can thrive for generations to come under the leadership of the Metro Parks Department.”
Tensions grew high during the public announcement of the city's plan to transfer the YMCA to the city.
Metro's Plan For Bordeaux YMCA Draws Anger, Outbursts
Many at the meeting were skeptical of the Metro/YMCA plan, saying they thought Metro might try to sell the land as property values continue to increase.
