JAMESTOWN – Officials with the Jamestown Area YMCA say there are no plans to close the Lakewood branch of the organization.
The statement comes after an online petition surfaced, stating the facility is slated for closure and seeking signatures to stop it from happening.
YMCA Chief Executive Officer Mark Eckendorf refuted the claim, but acknowledged that various studies have been conducted over the past two years regarding potential options for consolidating the two facilities that are currently located in Jamestown and Lakewood.
“It has come to our attention that a petition is being circulated to ‘Save the Lakewood YMCA’ around the community. Both on social media platforms and or in print. At this time there are no plans to close the Lakewood YMCA, nor any of the other properties owned by the Jamestown Area YMCA,” Eckendorf said in a statement.
Eckendorf adds that the exploratory process has included a possible consolidation plan, but the Y board and his staff are still looking at all options.
“Nothing is off the table,” he said, later adding, “We’ve implemented a telephonic and email campaign to engage community members as part of a feasibility study to gauge the impact of consolidating the Lakewood and Jamestown YMCA which may have led to part of this confusion and rumors about the Lakewood YMCA closing”
“The YMCA has been a part of this community for more than 157-years and we will continue to be a part of this community for many more years offering programs and services which focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” he concluded.
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