JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Berlin Falls Park Committee members last Thursday discuss a feasibility study to bring a YMCA to the former industrial site.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 22, 2018) The Berlin Falls Park Committee last Thursday decided it’s probably worth $20,000 to find out how realistic would it be to put a YMCA on the 60-acre former industrial site.

Committee members voted unanimously to recommend a feasibility study estimated to cost about that much.

“We know for the property that we want active and passive [development],” Chairwoman Amy Field said. “We kind of addressed the passive area … and now we’re looking at the active part of it.”

She said a swimming pool had long been a popular suggestion, and the committee recently heard presentations from both the county recreation and parks department, and the YMCA of the Chesapeake.

“If we want a building to house some activities … how are we going to go about that?” Field said. “Are we going to build it ourselves? Are we going to partner with the county? Are we going to do the YMCA, [or] is there something we haven’t thought of yet?”

According to Field, YMCA representatives last month told committee members they could choose the type of amenities in a potential Berlin location.

“I think they said a skate park was fine … that’s something that we talked about that we liked,” she said. “I, like Joan [Maloof] and Kate [Patton], was thinking, gosh, if we could somehow get the YMCA to incorporate some things that we want that aren’t traditional YMCA things, that would be great.”

Planning Director Dave Engelhart added, “Every ‘Y’ is a little different.”

“They’ll tailor it to the community, so we’re talking about our wishes and wants here,” he said. “Their experienced consultant is going to tell us, you don’t need 2-year-olds learning to swim in Berlin – I’m just using that as an example – because of demographics, but you do need elderly swim classes, because you have a lot of patients that are being referred from the hospital.

“They’ll tell us what’s going to work and what’s probably needed,” Engelhart continued. “And they probably have more data and expertise than we’ll have.”

Patton said the presentation last month answered many of her questions.

“I went in [questioning] it, but I was impressed with the presentation and I thought they did a really good job,” she said. “I would be very interested in a feasibility study … but I want to make sure we include everything we can in our feasibility study, like a skate park.”

Maloof also said she was skeptical initially.

“At first I thought, why don’t we do it ourselves, that way we have control,” she said. “But I was very impressed with the presentation. I was impressed that they would help raise the funds, and that they would be flexible to what we wanted. And so, at this point, I would say yes, I’d like to move forward.”

Shaneka Nichols said she has wanted the organization to come to Berlin for many years. Swimming lessons are a must, she said, because it’s something not available to most children in the area.

“And it’s something that they need to have,” she said.

Engelhart said his biggest remaining question was how the town would handle fundraising for the estimated $7-$8 million price tag for a YMCA building.

“I want to know if they have a little more information on the timeline for the fundraising partnerships we’re talking about, because we’ve got to raise that money – it can’t be off the taxpayers,” he said.

Field said the question was whether the group wanted to pursue a YMCA enough to justify the study.

“Even if we don’t want that, a feasibly study could also show why that’s not a good idea for the town,” she said.

Town Administrator Laura Allen agreed the study amounted to gathering information.

“Whether you like the idea of the YMCA or not … it’s good information for the community to have,” Allen said.

Vice Chairman Jack Orris wondered if a feasibility study could encompass more than just a YMCA.

“I don’t understand necessarily … why we can’t just do an overall feasibility study,” he said. “If we want to spend this money, why can’t we find a firm that’s independent that has all this?

“We want to talk about an amphitheater, we want to talk about a commercial kitchen,” Orris continued. “Why don’t we just find a company that will do what we want them to do?”

Allen said feasibility studies of the property had already been done, most notably the park concept plans developed by Baltimore firm EDSA, Inc. in 2016.

“If you want a YMCA and you want to answer those questions about the YMCA, then, yes, I think you want a feasibility study,” she said.

The Berlin Town Council will consider the recommendation during an upcoming public meeting.