No deal has been reached, but discussions have been held on idea and map points to site
3/06/2008
The Akron Area YMCA is considering partnering with Summa Health System to build a new facility on the Akron City Hospital campus to replace its 77-year-old downtown fitness center.
A map filed recently with the city by architects representing Summa indicated a ''future YMCA'' building off of East Market Street next to City Hospital.
The map was included in Summa's request to the Akron Board of Zoning Appeals for permission to build a new parking deck next to an orthopedic building the hospital is constructing this year with the Crystal Clinic.
Summa spokesman Mike Bernstein acknowledged this week that the health system has had discussions with the Akron YMCA ''about ways that we can work together to serve the community and also enhance the health and wellness of our employees.''
But, he added, no deal has been reached.
''That map does not represent anything official or anything concrete,'' he said. ''That map with the YMCA on it does not represent anything other than what we hope to accomplish working with the YMCA. What that might be or if it even happens is premature.''
In December 2006, the Akron Area YMCA Board of Trustees voted to launch an 18-month planning and design process that could lead to construction of a new $10 million to $12 million facility to replace the Canal Square YMCA at One Canal Square Plaza off Bowery Street in downtown Akron.
At the time the study was announced, one of the locations under consideration was an unnamed spot in the East Market Street-state Route 8 area near the University of Akron, according to Doug Kohl, president and chief executive of the Akron Area YMCA.
Kohl said Wednesday that his organization is ''excited about encouraging healthy lifestyles in adults and children.''
He said a decision on a new downtown YMCA could be ''more defined by the end of the year.''
But he said the YMCA has been talking to many organizations and has explored ''all options'' as it studies what to do in the future about a downtown facility.
It is clear, he said, that the old building ''was built in a different era for a different purpose. We are simply trying to serve the community in a more up-to-date fashion.''
The art deco-style Canal Square YMCA was built in 1931 and was closed from 1980 to 1986 during a $10 million renovation that converted old dormitory rooms to apartments. The YMCA's swimming pool was reopened in January 2006 following $500,000 in repairs.
The Canal Square YMCA currently has about 1,000 members. A survey showed that membership could climb to 2,000 to 2,500 with a new downtown facility.
The Akron Area YMCA already has partnerships in place with Summa in Green and Barberton.
Summa's Barberton Hospital collaborated with the YMCA, the Barberton Community Foundation, Babcock & Wilcox Co., the city of Barberton and Barberton Parks and Recreation to open the $9 million, 57,000-square-foot Lake Anna YMCA Community Center late last year.
And in Green, Summa and the Akron Area YMCA share a facility to house the YMCA's programming and the health system's medical services.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com. Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.