By Robert Anglen
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Boone County taxpayers will pay at least $2.7 million for a plan to take over the Tri-city YMCA and the Union Swim Club and turn them into public recreation centers.

In the deal announced Friday, Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore said the county would also lease to the The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati 11.8 acres in Boone Woods for the Boone County Family YMCA, its new state-of-the-art facility.

The lease price: $1.That should allow the new YMCA in Burlington to be ready to open in 18 months.

"We probably would have spent $2-$3 million developing one aquatic center, but for the same amount of money we will have (three) outdoor pools as well as an indoor pool and a community center," Mr. Moore said. "It's a win-win situation for the county."

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati plans to build two pools at the Boone Woods facility. Because of the county's lease, one will be an outdoor pool that the public can use on a one-day purchase pass. The indoor pool will be restricted to YMCA members.

Rates for the pool and for membership have not been established.

Mr. Moore estimated the purchase and development of the Tri-city at $2.2 million and said it would cost about $500,000 to upgrade the Union Swim Club. The county will contract with the YMCA to continue operating the two facilities after they are sold.

"The Union Swim Club is a stand-alone facility and will be turned over to the county on Jan. 1," Mr. Moore said. "Our plans are to make it part of a park."

He said two weeks ago the county purchased 31 acres around the Union Swim Club on U.S. 42.

Coupled with the 12 acres owned by the YMCA, the county will have a 43-acre park around the pool.

E-mail ranglen@enquirer.com