YMCA closing its Parrish facility after failing to reach new lease agreement
The Manatee County Family YMCA announced on Wednesday that it must shut down its Parrish program that it has operated since 2009.
The YMCA has spent more than $250,000 in facility upkeep over the course of 10 years under its arrangement with the building owner, The Parrish Foundation, Inc., the YMCA said in a press release late Wednesday.
The YMCA originally leased the facility in October of 2009 for a 5-year term. That lease expired in October of 2014, after which the YMCA continued occupancy on a month-to-month basis under the original lease terms, paying all operational expenses and the expenses of upkeep for the 1920’s-era building.
Prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parrish Foundation board presented the Manatee County Family YMCA with a long-term lease agreement that included continued payment of all maintenance and other upkeep costs for the facility, together with a new requirement to pay additional rent.
The additional financial burden imposed by the foundation would make it difficult for the YMCA to operate the facility in a normal pre-COVID-19 environment, according to the press release.
During these uncertain times, and during a period when all normal branch operations have been suspended, the YMCA said it could not sign such an agreement. The YMCA will vacate the building by July 1, the press release said.
The Parrish Branch of the Manatee County Family YMCA serves approximately 1,000 members. It employs three full-time staff and 30 part-time staff.
Programs that have been offered over the years include karate, tumbling, soccer, basketball, summer camp, parents’ morning out, group fitness, personal training, swimming lessons, and the SOAR program, a socializing curriculum for adults with disabilities.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from our members, participants, volunteers and donors. We are deeply disappointed that the closing will affect so many wonderful people,” board chairwoman Lisa DeVito said .
YMCA leadership will be meeting with staff to provide information about other potential employment opportunities available at the Y after the COVID-19 pandemic closure is lifted.
“While we search for other ways to serve the community of Parrish and strive to find a new location in the Parrish area, we would like to remind members that they are still a Manatee County Family YMCA member. Once operations resume, they will be able to use either the Lakewood Ranch Branch, which is less than 12 miles from the Parrish location, or the West Bradenton Branch as a full member,” Interim CEO Frank Frey said.
The branch’s remaining members were notified of the decision by email and will receive information outlining their options for continuing a membership at other branches. Members and others with questions should visit the website which will be updated as new information becomes available. The page can be found at: manateeymca.org
Questions can be directed to Frey at ffrey@manateeymca.org.
