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Warren-Trumbull YMCA loses its charter
By Jordan Cohen
WARREN
The charter of the Warren- Trumbull YMCA has been revoked by YMCA of the USA, the parent national organization, ending an affiliation of more than 80 years.
The facility, a fixture on High Street since its construction in 1928, will continue operations under its new name of Trumbull Family Fitness.
The organization has vowed to provide all current programs, including Silver Sneakers, a senior citizens program funded by health-care insurers.
According to a letter sent to members from Paulette Edington, executive director of the former Y, the national organization declared the building’s upkeep unsustainable because of its age. Y-USA said the charter could be maintained only if the organization vacates the 86-year-old facility and moves into a “storefront” location that would serve members until a new YMCA could be built.
The board of directors rejected the ultimatum.
“By doing so, we would no longer have swimming pools, gymnasiums, running tracks, etc., and therefore would be just like every other fitness center,” Edington’s letter states. “We didn’t want to reduce the services offered to our members.”
Y-USA revoked the charter Thursday because the local group was “unable to develop a viable exit strategy” within the national organization’s time frame Edington said.
“Y-USA has standards that all Ys have to meet, and the Trumbull County Y has failed to meet those standards for several years,” said Brad McDermott, a spokesman for Y-USA in Chicago. “We generally don’t go into details.”
Edington, who was appointed executive director Sept. 1, said the charter revocation actually represents cost savings for Trumbull Family Fitness. She said Y-USA provided no financial assistance to the local organization, which still had to pay monthly dues to the national organization.
“I feel we’re financially in a good place,” Edington added.
The annual budget for the former Y was nearly $700,000 for programs, maintenance, operating expenses and salaries. A source indicated no funds were available for capital improvements.
The organization has relied on donations from a number of sources including the United Way, which provided $26,460 for the current fiscal year ending next June 30, said Ginny Pasha, United Way of Trumbull County president and chief executive officer.
“They’ve had to manage challenges, but they’ve provided their programs in a quality way so we’ve continued funding,” Pasha said. “We’re going to monitor the funding as we are required to do, but we’re confident in the board putting a plan together to sustain its programming.”
Richard Thompson of Kinsman, board president, plans to meet with Edington and possibly other board members to discuss the situation. Edington said the group has looked at “several downtown sites as potential locations to build a new facility” and is exploring partnerships with other organizations.