The local YMCA is hoping to buy 7 acres of land from the
Hollister School District behind Ladd Lane school in order to build
a 55,000 square-foot recreation center that would offer a host new
facilities.
Hollister – The local YMCA is hoping to buy 7 acres of land from the Hollister School District behind Ladd Lane school in order to build a 55,000 square-foot recreation center that would offer a host new facilities.
YMCA officials want to raise $12 to $16 million to buy the property extending from behind Ladd Lane School to Union Road and build a “first class” facility that would include basketball courts, exercise equipment, a community center, meeting rooms and at least two swimming pools. YMCA Officials were reluctant to discuss a timeline for building the project, but the Hollister School District formed a committee to negotiate the sale of the land.
The new YMCA facility will not only benefit the school district, but the entire San Benito County community, Sheriff Curtis Hill said Wednesday. Hill, who serves on the YMCA’s Board of Managers, believes building the new facility will be the “biggest thing to happen in San Benito County in 100 years.”
“Our big focus is on the youth,” he said. “This is all part of a bigger picture to get after gang issues and build families.”
The school district’s Board of Trustees approved the formation of a committee, comprised of two school board members and two YMCA board members, to study the impact and negotiate the sale Tuesday night. Selling the land wouldn’t solve the district’s budget deficit problems, but profits could be used to build a new school in the future, district officials said.
Many Hollister residents have lobbying for a full-service community center for many years, Hollister City Councilman Doug Emerson said.
“Our community is in great need of programs and activities for youth,” he said. “So this is great.”
YMCA volunteers want to work quickly to acquire the land and begin raising funds for the complex.
“We are extremely encouraged that (the school board) has decided to enter into negotiations with us,” YMCA volunteer Annette Giacomazzi said Wednesday. “We have final broken the barrier on a suitable piece of land, now we can hit the ground running.”
Giacomazzi hopes a deal on the property can be made soon so the YMCA can begin to raise money for the new facility.
“The location is desirable because it near (Hollister’s) main population center, it’s highly visible and easily accessible,” Giacomazzi said. “But the most important factor is that it is next to a school and we would be working in partnership with the Hollister School District.”
The YMCA is looking at every possible funding source, both public and private, and already has a number of donors lined up, Giacomazzi said. A timeline for acquiring the land and beginning construction on the new facility has not yet been set, but Giacomazzi said such a plan would be detailed in the coming months.
YMCA volunteers have been eyeing the land behind Ladd Lane for several years, but talks with the district only began recently.
“I’m very encourage about the vote and the new leadership at Hollister School District,” Giacomazzi said. “They now share our vision.”
Selling the land would not ease the district’s financial woes because any money gained in the transaction would be restricted to a school site building fund. The district, which will be operating at a $2.9 million deficit by 2008 if expenses are not curtailed, hopes the sale will open up new after-school opportunities for it’s 6,000 students.
“It can only be used for the purchase of real property,” Hollister School District Board of Trustees member Dee Brown said Wednesday. “But it won’t get us out of our budget dilemma.”
Brown believes that the money generated from the sale will be used sometime in the future to build a new school for the district. She is excited about the deal and hopes it will benefit both parties.
“If it’s the right time, we’re interested in selling,” Brown said. “We envision a wonderful community partnership.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
