College Community school taxpayers, employees to get 30% discount at new YMCA

CEDAR RAPIDS — Taxpayers and employees in the College Community School District will receive a 30 percent discount on YMCA membership when Prairie Summit opens next year.

Bob Carlson, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area, said he expects the facility to increase YMCA membership by 10,000.

“With the school building the facility and the Y operating it, it’s the best example of a partnership,” Carlson said.

There are many membership options to YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area branches — which will include Prairie Summit. Membership costs vary according to age and number of people included in the membership.

The least expensive membership is $23 a month for one child. Membership for one adult between 18-64 years old is $97.50 a month. There also are 100-day membership options and summer promotions.

Monthly or annual membership costs include a joining fee.

Background

An agreement between the school district and YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area signed April 22, 2024, details shared use of the new facility now under construction.

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Voters in the College Community School District in November 2023 approved a $43 million bond referendum to fund the construction of a swimming pool and wellness center that the YMCA will operate. It is expected to open spring 2026.

The district broke ground on the project, just west of Prairie Heights Elementary School along 76th Ave. SW, on October 2024.

The YMCA will include competition and recreation pools, which will serve as the home venue for Prairie swim teams and offer aquatic opportunities for younger students. The facility also will feature locker rooms, two competition courts, a turf area, walking track, cardio and fitness space and two multiuse fitness classrooms.

What’s happened since

The 10-year agreement defines the responsibilities of the school district and YMCA when it comes to operation and maintenance of the facility.

The agreement automatically will renew for an additional five years unless either party gives written notice at least 24 months before the agreement is set to expire.

“This is going to be a great partnership and a great amenity for our community as well as a wonderful asset for our students,” said Angie Morrison, the school district’s chief financial officer.

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Under the agreement, the school district has priority use of the competition pool and diving area and multisport area for district-operated activities, which does not include club team activities.

The district also has weekly access to the facility for after-school and summer child care programs.

The café and concessions area will be operated by the district as a part of its school work-study programs. Expenses of all equipment and supplies purchased or leased for the café will be paid for by the school district. The YMCA will provide custodial services.

The district and YMCA will work jointly to schedule activities annually by July 1.

The district will provide supervisors, staff and instructors for all programming it holds at the YMCA. Upon reasonable request from the district, YMCA staff will assist with student supervision.

The YMCA will not charge fees to anyone participating in or attending a district-sponsored activity, including team or individual sports associated with the district.

The YMCA will provide supervisors, staff and instructors for all of its programs and will be responsible for day-to-day operations, including staffing and custodial services.

The facility will remain owned by the school district. The YMCA will provide and pay for all furniture and equipment for the swimming pool and wellness center, including fitness and cardio equipment, computers, office equipment, furniture, weights, lobby furniture and YMCA program equipment.

The district will maintain, repair and replace the roof, exterior and interior walls, pool system and related equipment, windows and grounds and plumbing and electrical, pool and heating and cooling systems as needed. These expenses likely will be paid for from capital projects funds, Morrison said.

The YMCA will be financially responsible for all utilities.

For the first five years of operation, the YMCA will retain all revenues from the facility. Beginning in year six, the YMCA will pay 20 percent of the net profits to the district.

The district will use the revenue to benefit the YMCA facility, but specific use of the funds are at the district’s discretion.

A joint governing council of five members will be created that includes the College Community school board chair and superintendent and YMCA board president and president and CEO. A fifth board member will be selected by the other four members and must hold YMCA membership and reside within the College Community district.

One of the governing council’s roles will be to resolve disputes between the YMCA and school district and its “determination shall be binding during the term of this agreement,” according to the agreement.

An advisory council also will be created and its members jointly approved by the school board and YMCA board. The advisory council will include residents within the district who hold YMCA membership. Council members will serve two-year terms and meet biannually to advise the governing council on capital improvements or upgrades.

Job openings at the facility are expected to be posted this fall at crmetroymca.org/careers.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com