Lake County Family YMCA, Vernon Hills Park District, Village Reach Agreement – Vernon Hills Branch To Stay Open
Lake County Family YMCA, the Village of Vernon Hills and the Park District of Vernon Hills have reached an agreement for the Park District to acquire and operate the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills.
“The Board and I are pleased to announce we have reached an agreement in principle with the Vernon Hills Park District regarding the future of our Central Lake branch,” Board Chair Diane Fleming said. “The Park District will acquire the facility and has publicly stated it intends to continue to provide the same services currently offered but under the Park District banner.”
In anticipation of this transition, the Board has decided to keep the Vernon Hills YMCA facility open and continue to offer services to the Vernon Hills area community through the end of the year. At the start of next year, the Park District will assume operation of the facility. Because of the complex nature of the Lake County Family YMCA's financial situation, the agreement is subject to final legal and financial reviews.
Programs will continue as usual at the 700 Lakeview Parkway location in Vernon Hills until the end of the year.
There is no update about the future of the Northern Lake YMCA, 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan. Fleming said the Board hopes to make an announcement regarding the Waukegan Y no later than Wednesday morning, Oct. 31.
The Lake County Family YMCA operates two branches, the Central Lake Y in Vernon Hills, and the Northern Lake Y in Waukegan. Both YMCAs were announced to close Oct. 31 due to insufficient financial resources to sustain operations on an on-going basis. Subsequent to the news about the planned closure, the YMCA embarked on a fund-raising campaign due to the significant outpouring of community concern.
Funds raised, as of Oct. 30, are $46,321, which represents a “terrific effort from both communities,” said Lake County Family YMCA Interim CEO Hal Katz.
The two branches have a combined membership of about 6,500.
Lake County Family YMCA employs 34 full-time and 98 part-time staff.
More information is available on the Y's website at www.ymcalakecounty.org and will be updated frequently.
Lake County Family YMCA was chartered in 1912, had its roots in Waukegan, and celebrated its centennial this past July.
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The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.