Early in the planning process, it was suggested to the chair of the Community Center Steering Committee they undertake a feasibility study. Response, “That would be too expensive.” A timeline of further requests follows.
Later, in the process, after the steering committee hiatus, Diane Booth, present Community Center director, recommends to the chair that a feasibility study be conducted. Diane will seek funding through the University Extension Service. Response, “We don’t have the time for that.”
Other communities considering a YMCA joint venture have followed the disciplined process of defining first what the community wants and is willing to support.
Interesting that the YMCA normally requires a minimum population of 28,000 and a feasibility study is mandatory. So why the exception in our case? Because we asked them to help us. They did not come to us.
Apr. 11 – School Board passes resolutions identifying criteria to be met: Resolution 6 – The School Board I.S.D 166 reserves the right to review the feasibility study and business plans prior to giving final approval to the attachment of the proposed Cook County Community Center to I.S.D 166.
Apr. 17 – Offer to assist steering committee, YMCA representatives and board of commissioners in formulating and facilitating a survey. No response.
Apr. 23 – Present “10 Things We Would Like To See” document to Steering Committee. No discussion, no response.
Apr. 24 – Present “10 Things” document to commissioners along with background information on what constitutes a legitimate feasibility study; include a draft of a suggested study. No expressed interest.
Apr. 28 – Held discussion with commissioner who states YMCA CEO, Chris Francis, told him a feasibility study is not necessary.
May 9 – City Council votes to support the county’s community center project. Additionally they agree to support its operation and maintenance in an annual amount not to exceed $156,000.
May 15 – Attend commissioners’ meeting and ask if there has been any discussion regarding a feasibility study? Told, “We aren’t here to answer your questions. Just to “listen.”
May 23 – Steering Committee meets. Planning to break ground in mid October. No mention of any need for a feasibility study made at any point in their discussions.
And we wonder why there has been and continues to be so much frustration with this whole process?
Garry Gamble
Grand Marais
Leave a Reply