Public input sought on YMCA plan
If you go
The YMCA of Northern Rock County will hold several public meetings around Milton to collect input on its proposed facility:
Thursday, May 14
-- 8 a.m., Air Products, 337 Vincent St.
-- 4 p.m., Junction Pub, 130 Merchant Row.
-- 7 p.m., Northside Intermediate School, 159 Northside Drive.
Thursday, May 21
-- 7 a.m., Ott Schweitzer Distribution, 616 Gateway Drive.
-- 1 p.m., The Gathering Place, 715 Campus Lane.
-- 6 p.m., City Hall, 430 E. High St.
If you can't go to a meeting but want to participate, call Tom Den Boer at (608) 754-6654, Ext. 115.
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MILTON — The YMCA has spent months studying Milton's demographics and talking to community leaders and stakeholders to plan a new facility in Crossridge Park.
But sometimes, you have to ask the average resident to find out what the community wants.
The YMCA of Northern Rock County will do just that through community meetings this Thursday and next Thursday, May 21.
"Sometimes when you go through this process, the last group that doesn't get touched is the general public," CEO Tom Den Boer said.
The Y bought 5 acres in Crossridge Park along Parkview Drive last year for $87,000. The preliminary plan for the facility includes a fitness center, gymnasium, day care area, senior center, youth center and aquatic area.
The facility probably will be built in stages, though those stages have yet to be determined.
That's where public opinion comes in, Den Boer said.
The Milton School District has talked to the Y about possible collaboration on a community pool. Youth sports groups tend to be most interested in sports fields and courts.
YMCA officials want to know what's most important to the general public.
"There's no clear priority right now," Den Boer said.
After the public meetings, the Y will create an artist rendering of the proposed facility. It will bring that to the public, then get to work on designs and fundraising, Den Boer said.
He hopes to have a timeline, campaign goal and priority list in the next two or three months, he said. The timeline will depend on fundraising, he said.
If the building were built today, it would cost $12 million to $15 million, he said.
The YMCA facility could be just the beginning for the 43-acre Crossridge Park. The Y and the city released a conceptual plan in 2006 that includes playgrounds, a skatepark, sports fields and horseshoe pits.
May 15, 2009 at 8:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
Seriously, when are you lap swimmers going to let it go???? There was a survey of services done and the percentage of people that used the lap pool was minimal compared to the others. The YMCA used the best of its space to accomodate the majorite of members. It would have been idiotic to build or renovate a pool just for lap swimmers when the number of people who used it was so small. There is only so much space downtown, so they did the best they could for the MAJORITY of the people who use it!!
I PERSONALLY know Dr. Tom and he does care what the public says. He will take that into account along with what the MAJORITY of people want. Just cause you didn't get your lap pool don't go badmouthing the Y everytime you get a chance.
May 14, 2009 at 11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
The Northern Rock County YMCA is not interested in catering to lap swimmers, long distance runners, triathletes, or other adult activities. That is why there is a 20 foot lap pool now, no YMCA duathlon, no YMCA triathlon, no YMCA half marathon, and no YMCA swim team in Janesville.
At least the Beloit Y still sponsors the Biathlon (duathlon) and still has a 25m lap pool for anyone interested in that.
The YMCA of northern Rock County is mostly interested in youth basketball, soccer and t-ball. So input all you want but these are programs that will be emphasized whether you like it or not. Mr. Den Boer has proven that in Janesville and will do so again in Milton.
May 14, 2009 at 8:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
$12-15 million for a facility that will benefit who? The powers that be just dont get it. We The People are tired of tax after tax to fund these white elephants. Sadly this will also be shoved down our throats (SEE JANESVILLE SCHOOL REFERUNDUM)until its a reality.How many jobs will this create?wouldnt this money be better utilized helping all struggling families that desperately need help?
May 14, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.
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I agree with Packerfan1, no tax money for this. Of course, I'd rather pay tax money for this than I would do have extra police officers in Milton. Here's an idea though: cut both, adjust our real estate appraisals to the real amount, and reduce our taxes.
May 13, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.
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It would be nice to see the tax payer left out of this deal. We pay plenty as it is. let them stand on there own.
May 13, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
how about they put in an real lap pool. Not some 50 foot long pool they have here in Janesville.
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