City OKs YMCA feasibility study

By MARY MALONE

Staff writer

SANDPOINT — When University of Idaho officials announced plans to sell the 77-acre property on Boyer Avenue in September, people wondered what would happen to the property.

The city then began a series of workshops to determine what the public would like to see happen with the property, which brought forth several ideas, including that of a recreation center. Last week, City Council members approved of a $20,000 feasibility study for a YMCA recreation center on the property.

“The effort to create a rec center has been going on in this community for many years,” said Mayor Shelby Rognstad.

Rognstad said the idea first came up about eight years ago. Two years ago, a volunteer group called the Y Board formed, but the project stalled when the committee could not come to an agreement on a location for a YMCA.

“Once this University of Idaho Boyer property started being discussed between the city and the University of Idaho, the Y board caught wind of it and they determined that would be a very strategic location for them to investigate … so they got reinspired to develop this plan,” Rognstad said.

Rognstad’s comments were in response to Anita Aurit, a community member who said while she admires the effort city Administrator Jennifer Stapleton has put forth on transparency, recent events surrounding the UI property fell short of that standard.

Planning and Zoning staff held workshops in September regarding the property, and Aurit said on Sept. 12 an email was sent out to “particular individuals” who were asked to participate on a YMCA advisory council. Aurit said it “is clear” the plan to purchase the land was set in motion at least a week before the Sept. 27 on-site tour.

“I am disheartened that the city made a great showing of obtaining input on the U of I property, and yet, had made the decision to purchase the property and its disposition before the public workshop schedules were completed,” Aurit said. “My comments tonight are not for or against the city’s YMCA plans. I am addressing the fact that although citizens believed they were being heard, decisions had already been made and were put in place.”

Councilman-Elect Joel Aispuro agreed with Aurit, adding that from what he understood, there was an emergency meeting held regarding a grant from the LOR foundation for possible purchase the property.

“As a citizen, I don’t feel that you guys were being that transparent about that,” Aispuro said.

As per the agreement, the YMCA is contributing $7,500 toward the study, and the city will contribute the remaining $12,500 using funds awarded through the High Five Community Transformation Grant from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.