Calvert County Commissioners and YMCA Part Ways in Public/Private Partnership

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- August 20, 2003 -- The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announced today that Calvert County and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington would not enter into a public/private partnership to construct a full-service YMCA family center in Calvert County.

The full-service YMCA, which would have been operational in three to five years, was to include programs for families and youth, a day care center, a wellness facility, and an aquatic center at the Old Fairgrounds Property on Fairgrounds Road in Prince Frederick. Instead, the BOCC unanimously voted to construct an aquatic facility and day care center on the site to be complete in spring 2006. Additionally, the BOCC will keep a portion of the property for a commuter parking facility.

"Our decision to take on this project on behalf of County citizens in no way, shape or form is a result of any action taken by the YMCA," said David F. Hale, president, BOCC.

"The BOCC made this decision because of public input to provide a much desired service to our citizens. We are willing to take on the risk of an aquatic and daycare facility to better serve our citizens, very quickly."

"Although we were excited about this wonderful opportunity, our project involves conducting a capital campaign, which requires a longer timetable and construction is dependent on how quickly money can be raised," said Angie L. Reese-Hawkins, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. "However, we understand the Commissioners’ desire to have a more definitive timeframe in which to construct an aquatic facility."

"Our intention," continued Reese-Hawkins, "is to remain in Calvert County since citizens have told us they want a YMCA in their community. We will continue to pursue opportunities in the county to offer programs and services for families and youth. We look forward to a continued excellent working relationship with and the support of county officials and community leaders as we move forward in this process."

The BOCC fully supports the Y’s efforts and looks forward to any future cooperative participation.

In June 2002, the BOCC and YMCA announced that they would enter into a public/private partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to build a full-service YMCA family center in Calvert County. After several months of negotiations, the BOCC and YMCA agreed in order to serve the citizens of Calvert County more quickly that the BOCC would undertake construction of a portion of the project immediately. The property’s mid-County location and area demographics provide a favorable economic environment and central access for Calvert County residents.

Last fall, the BOCC purchased and set aside the Fairgrounds property for a swimming facility based on requests from County citizens. The BOCC plans to accommodate the area high school swim teams as part of its aquatic center operation. At this time, no decision has been made on who will operate the new County facility. Further details about the BOCC plan will be available in the near future.

For more information, please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410.535.4583 or the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, 202.232.6700, www.ymcawashdc.org

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Editor’s Note: The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is the 17th largest YMCA in North America and the largest non-profit provider of child care in the Washington Metropolitan area. The association operates more than 20 branches and program centers in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and is open to people of all ages, faiths, races and cultural backgrounds, regardless of ability to pay. For more information, please visit our website at www.ymcawashdc.org

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com