There is exciting progress being made in the expansion of our community center and the prospect of a new Cook County Family YMCA is closer to becoming a reality. With the recent affirmative vote of the county board to attach the community center to the school, the taxpayers of Cook County are now in a win/win situation.
The school has always been the lifeblood of the community and by having the new community center in the west wing, it will relieve taxpayers of the burden of renovating that part of the school, since the 1% recreation tax will fund it.
The decline in student population is also a consideration, and we expect the new community center to be such an awesome amenity that it will keep young families here and attract other families to move here. The Cook County Family YMCA will include as its centerpiece, an indoor pool, hot tub, multi-purpose gymnasium for tennis, basketball, volleyball, indoor walking track, and fitness/weight room, and classrooms for other activities such as dance, gymnastics, yoga, meetings, etc., and a child watch area, outdoor ice hockey rink and a pleasure skate rink.
There will be something for everyone, and from what I’ve been told, the YMCA is sensitive to the needs in a community and will provide for that need. I urge you to get behind this project by calling a steering committee member to pledge your support, so we can move forward! You can follow the project progress at www.co.cook. mn.us/
With joyful anticipation
Cathi Williams
Grand Marais
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