City Commission to Get New Dow Y Update, Housing, Financial Reviews Aug. 25
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New Dow Bay Area Family Y has modernistic look, will be sited on former Labadie Olds-Cadillac property on Washington Avenue south of City Hall.
The City Commission's Finance and Policy Agenda includes three key items for the Monday, Aug. 25 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in room 306 of City Hall:
Discussion on plan to address housing/neighborhood issues;
Presentation and update on the new Bay Area Family Y by Chuck Brooks, executive director/CEO; and
5 year financial forecast.
About $10 million already has been raised for the $15.5 million project, according to Y officials.
Latest expression of community support for the Y project comes from Mike Seward, President & CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce:
"The creation of a state-of-the-art, family-friendly Y facility in the "Uptown at River's Edge" area will be a tremendous asset to downtown Bay City and the residents of Bay County. We know that this new community asset will change the lives of our residents for generations to come."
Previously, the Y received support from Carolyn C. Wierda, superintendent, Bay City Public Schools; Frederick Hollister, president & CEO, Bay Future, Inc.; Candace Bales, executive director, Downtown Bay City Management Board & Development Authority; Michael R. Dewey, superintendent, Bay Arenac ISD; State Rep. Jeff Mayes; and United Way executive director/CEO Jennifer L. Carroll.
"With decrease in federal and state funding for human service organizations, it behooves agencies to take the initiative to form collaborations and stretch local dollars to meet the most needs," said Ms. Carroll.
"Our children continue to be at risk on a local, state and national level due to lack of healthy, physical activity," said Mr. Dewey. "The Bay Area Family Y's new facility will help change that trend once it is completed."
The Y has made public a list of frequently-asked questions and answers, that follows:
1. Why is the Y running a campaign involving the community?
The vision of the Y's leadership is to provide a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility for the entire community. The new Y will serve to help improve the local economy by serving as a spark plug to the "Uptown at River's Edge" development area. Support from the entire community will be essential to the success of the project.
2. How much will the project cost?
$15.5 million
3. Who is being asked to contribute?
Y Members, Community Individuals and Families, Businesses and Corporations, Foundations and other Grant Sources
4. Why does the Y need such a large, expensive facility?
The design of the new Y facility is based on the findings of the Y's Market Study, which outlines the interests and expectations of current Y membership and the general population for program and membership services in a new Y facility. In addition, the facility is designed to demonstrate a change in the Y's mission of being a:
health and fitness center for the entire community,
a recruitment tool for the development of the "Uptown at River's Edge" development area, and
to provide the design features necessary to achieve the goal of being a "Silver" LEED certified building, leading the community in providing green healthy buildings in the future.
5. How do you know your construction cost estimates are accurate?
With the help of our architect, the cost estimates are determined by the basic square footage costs of comparable facilities in the area.
6. What has the board and staff contributed?
The members of the Y board of directors and employees have pledged a total of $250,000 to the Capital Campaign effort. This includes 100% of the Y board members and management team.
7. When will the construction be completed?
The project time table anticipates the ground breaking to be held in October 2008 with construction completion in January - March 2010.
8. Why should I contribute if I do not have any children or do not plan to use the Y?
The Y's Capital Campaign project is not just a campaign to build a new Y. The project is an economic development opportunity for the City of Bay City. Its location at "Uptown at River's Edge" will serve as a catalyst for the future development in the area. The entire community will benefit from the financial support and successful completion of this project.
9. I already paid my membership fees. Why does the Y need more money?
Membership fees help to maintain the facilities and programming and are critical to its operations. Capital improvements are outside the Y's operational budget. Building a new facility will require additional support from the community.
10. Why should business and industry give to this project?
Every community needs to attract new residents, businesses, and employees. Successful communities build upon various institutions within the community to create a high quality of life including school districts, medical establishments, colleges and universities, the arts and other cultural venues, recreational areas -- and a strong Y!
The new Y facility will serve as a primary attraction to help local business and industry attract qualified individuals and their families, in turn, strengthening the local economy.
11. Do contributors to the campaign receive any Y membership privileges?
No, by law contributors to the Y cannot receive any direct privileges because of their charitable contribution.
12. How is the Y different from other health clubs?
As a non-profit organization, the Y has a mission to fulfill in providing program and membership services that benefit the entire community -- all ages, both male and female, all ethnic groups, all religions, and all abilities. More importantly, the Y must also make sure its programs and activities are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay. The Bay Area Family Y provides a very strong financial assistance program serving hundreds of youth and families throughout the year.
13. Why is the Y tax exempt?
The tax exempt status of the Y is available because we provide services that local government does not have the funding, staffing, or interest in providing. The Y is governed by a volunteer board who works with the management of the Y to develop programs and activities that benefit the entire community with any profits made during a year returned to the Y organization to help strengthen and expand its services to the community.
14. How may gifts and pledges be paid?
A contribution to the Y Capital Campaign may be made over a 1 ? 5 year period in a variety of ways including cash, check, credit cards, ACH (Bank Draft) transfer, and appreciated stock. All in-kind contributions will be considered and approved by the Campaign Committee. The Y will also accept contributions made through company matching gifts programs.
15. Are gifts to the Y tax deductible?
Yes, the Y is a registered charitable organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service, Section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Charitable gifts to the Y are tax deductible to the full extent of the federal and state tax laws.
16. How does the campaign affect the annual giving program?
The "Strong Kids" Annual Support Campaign provides critical funding for the Y's financial assistance program. This on-going support from the community is essential in order for the Y to insure that all individuals are able to participate regardless of their ability to pay program and membership fees. Capital Campaign funds are placed in a separate account and reserved for Capital Campaign expenses only.
17. Will Y membership fees increase when the new facility opens?
We anticipate that Y program and membership fees will not increase any more than rates would normally increase over the time due to increased costs including occupancy costs, personnel expense, and supply costs.
18. How will gifts to the campaign be recognized? All contributors to the Y "Building the Future" Capital Campaign will be recognized in a prominent location of the new building at the completion of the building project.
19. How do you know the Y will be able support and sustain the operating expenses of this new Y facility?
The leadership of the Y has taken the time to develop a pro forma operating budget for the new facility over the next 10 years. These figures are determined using the results of our Market Study, Seer Analytics study, anticipated utility costs of the new building, as well as the results of other similar openings of other Y facilities in Michigan. The pro forma plan includes:
Increased staffing required to operate the new facility for administration, new program and member services
100% funding of depreciation on an annual basis A very conservative growth of memberships and program participants
The continuation and strengthening of the Y's "Strong Kids" campaign and fundraising events
The creation of a Communications and Development department that will focus directly on internal and external communications as well as financial development.
20. Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact Y Executive Director/CEO Chuck Brooks at 989-895-8596 or by e-mail at cbrooks@ymcabaycity.org###
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