Lake Zurich may work with YMCA to combine some recreation programs

Lake Zurich officials are reviewing proposals that would allow the village to “stop competing with the YMCA” on recreation programs and save money.

Mayor Suzanne Branding said trustees are examining the Lake Zurich Parks and Recreation Department in search of programs also offered at the Foglia YMCA in the village.

The aim, Branding said, is to determine if those programs can be taken over by the YMCA to reduce village costs for services and part-time employees.

“We are in the very early stages of this idea, but we’ve already noticed a large duplication of programs with the YMCA,” she said. “So, we are talking with the YMCA to see if they would completely take over these programs. It’s better to work with the YMCA than to compete with them.”

She didn’t know exactly how many parks programs are being reviewed and could be potentially handed off. But, she said every program is being examined on a case-by-case basis.

In exchange, the YMCA would be allowed to use the village parks and recreation facilities without charge.

“I’m hoping that, when it’s all said and done, people will not even notice the change,” Branding said. “It will be the same program operating in our same facility, just not run by the village any more.”

There are 50 to 125 part-time employees who work for the village on these programs, she said. Those employees could transfer and work at the YMCA or those jobs could be eliminated.

“The number of employees is everyone from someone who teaches a program to the lifeguards at the beaches at Lake Zurich,” she said. “At this point, we are reviewing everything and seeing where we can work with the YMCA to save money.”

Branding said the discussions are in the very early stages and residential input is welcome on the proceedings.

“We need to save money, and combining village services is one way to do that,” she said. “We have been combining our dispatching services for years with nearby communities, and it works out great for everyone. Maybe this is another way we can save.”