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• • • Planning & Zoning Board December 14, 2005 Page 6 Mr. Rafferty asked what the cost of membership will be. Mr. Staley gave a breakdown of membership costs, noting that the average cost is $60 to $63 per unit. He continued that there is a joiner's fee, which is waived three times during the year. He added that Lino Lakes' residents will receive a ten percent discount, which is the only discount that is offered in the twin cities metro area because of their partnership with our city. Mr. Rafferty said he took a tour of the new YMCA in Andover. He noted that the building is an award winning building, and is an 18 million dollar complex. He compared that the proposed facility is about 7 million. He went on to state that the Andover YMCA has many features, and was developed with the help of the Minneapolis chapter of the YMCA. He is not sure what the program differences are. He pointed out many positive features of the Andover YMCA and wondered why we couldn't get the same type of building in Lino Lakes. He wondered how the Lino Lakes project as presented today fits the goals of taxpayers. Mr. Staley responded that, with all due respect, the Andover and the Lino Lakes projects are completely different. The Lino Lakes YMCA will be a first -rate run facility that he is proud to bring forward today. Though it does not meet size expectations right now, it is a good start, which is similar to what has been done in other cities. Other cities have started without a full buildout, as well. He noted that full buildout in other cities have been completed in a reasonable period of time. Mr. Rafferty stated that he sees a project that the city & the YMCA have worked hard on, but is not sure the shoe fits. He remarked that the proposed program is short of expectations. His concern is for the people who have worked very hard on this, and can't understand how it's coming up short. With only one gym and a lap pool, he wondered what a child would get out of this facility. He expressed that an additional gym should be included, along with a recreational pool with slides, etc. He reiterated that the Andover YMCA has these features. Mr. Staley responded that the Andover YMCA and the Lino Lake YMCA are apples & oranges. He explained that the City of Andover paid for their entire project through a lease agreement with the YMCA, and the YMCA will not be paying any rent for the first seven years. They came to an understanding and the City was willing to bond it all. Lino Lakes simply moved forward with the YMCA in a partnership with the city. Mr. Rafferty questioned the amount of property that will be given to the YMCA. Grochala specified the area of land that will be YMCA property, noting that some of the land will include a conservation easement and a trail easement. He reminded the board that the City Council will ultimately decide if this is the right facility for the city. Mr. Grochala agreed that the Andover YMCA is completely different from the Lino Lakes facility „ and it is unfair to compare the two projects. The Andover YMCA is being financed in a different manner. Staff is working with the YMCA to evaluate alternative financial options that would allow for a larger facility. Mr. Rafferty stated it would have been great if the YMCA had begun five or six years ago. Mr. Grochala pointed out that funding was not available five or six years ago. The financing is dependant on fundraising from the community.