BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer Contributor
SPRINGBORO -- Ashley Corrao would like to quit making so many trips from her Springboro home to Kettering for recreation.
The 15-year-old Springboro High School sophomore is one of many residents from Springboro and neighboring Clearcreek Township who support plans for a YMCA branch in their area.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dayton plans to use private donations to build a $3 million branch on Ohio 741 near the Wright Brothers Airport South -- the same location as a proposed $7.4 million YMCA community center that died when voters last year soundly defeated a bond issue.
"It would be a place to go," Ashley said as she took a break from in-line skating along South Main Street. The final decision to build a satellite YMCA in Springboro depends on whether the Dayton organization can raise the needed $3 million for construction costs, said Tim Helm, vice president of operations at the Dayton YMCA.
A 13-member volunteer committee set up last December also is working on facility design and land acquisition, said Mike Parks, president and CEO of the Dayton YMCA. He expects a decision on whether they will build a facility in Springboro by November.
Children and adults from Springboro and Clearcreek Township said they would like a YMCA branch for several reasons.
Springboro High freshman Adam Knox said he would be able to swim as he warmed up for soccer practice.
"I think there are really nice pools," said Adam, 14, of Clearcreek Township. "They have nice diving boards. There aren't a lot of pools around here."
Retta Marsh, 56, who owns the Prim Rose's clothing store on South Main, prefers activities that don't require her to get wet.
"I mostly like the exercise classes and the weight room," she said.
Chris Zickafoose, a 15-year-old sophomore at Springboro High from Clearcreek Township, said he thinks the location is fine. "I can meet all my friends during the summer," he said.
By a 2-to-1 ratio, Springboro and Clearcreek Township residents last year rejected the more expensive community center. It would have featured an aquatic center with water slides and geysers, a gymnasium, elevated indoor track, exercise room, sauna and game fields.
The 25-year levy would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $34 per year in taxes.
The new design eliminates the aquatic center, a large portion of the $7.4-million price tag from last year's proposal. The proposed facility would include an indoor pool, gymnasium, health and wellness center, locker rooms, multipurpose space and outdoor game fields, Mr. Helm said.
Dori Jordahl, 36, of Springboro voted against the levy. She said Wednesday she likes the new plans and would be relieved she would not have to take her son Michael, 4, and daughter Stacie, 11, to Miamisburg to swim.
"I guess I wanted to start small and build up," Ms. Jordahl said.
The YMCA plans to start soliciting donations, Mr. Helm said. The facility would need 1,000 membership units, either family or single, to break even, he said.
A Springboro YMCA would be the fourth membership facility for the Dayton organization. It also would be the second YMCA in Warren County.
Mr. Helm expects the YMCA eventually would hire 50 to 100 employees, with up to 10 full-time positions.
Richelle Thompson contributed to this report.
