The sale of roughly 7.5 acres to the local YMCA chapter received
green light
HOLLISTER — Hollister YMCA is one step closer to fulfilling its
dream of building a new multi-million dollar facility with the
acquisition of a 7.5-acre parcel from the Hollister School District
Board of Trustees, which voted unanimously last week to sell the
nonprofit organization the property.
The sale of roughly 7.5 acres to the local YMCA chapter received green light
HOLLISTER — Hollister YMCA is one step closer to fulfilling its dream of building a new multi-million dollar facility with the acquisition of a 7.5-acre parcel from the Hollister School District Board of Trustees, which voted unanimously last week to sell the nonprofit organization the property.
The new facility will include swimming pools, athletic courts and a host of other facilities, according to Lou Bettencourt, executive director of the local chapter.
The school district voted to declare the land, located adjacent to Ladd Lane School, as surplus in late March, entitling the district to sell or lease the land to specific public or nonprofit entities.
The property was initially acquired for the purpose of building new school facilities for the district, no official plans had been made to do anything with it, which left the district free to sell it at fair market value.
The land is valued at $1.05 million. The YMCA has three years to come up with the agreed upon amount. However, officials within the district have previously stated that they would be open to extending this if needed.
The next step for the YMCA, with an agreement reached, is for the Y to deal with all the legal paperwork in addition to the extensive fundraising, as well as obtaining official approval from the regional and national YMCA chapters above them before the land can officially switch hands.
Bettencourt has previously gone on record as saying he doesn’t think the organization will have any problem raising the necessary funds for the new facility since each year the group exceeds its fundraising goals.
The organization anticipated that the actual facility, an 85,000-square-foot structure could cost $12.8 million. The center would include basketball and racquetball courts, at least two swimming pools, fitness equipment, sauna and steam rooms, and other spaces designated for both kids and adults. The facilities would also be available for community organizations in need of space.
The YMCA has previously worked with the school district to offer activities and makes use of facilities at Sunnyslope, Gabilan Hills and Ladd Lane Elementary schools, which are popular with the students.
