By Sheila McLaughlin and Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SYMMES TWP. - Symmes and Deerfield townships want to band together in a recreational district that could bring a YMCA to Montgomery Road.

Talks have focused on building a satellite of the Ralph J. Stolle Countryside Y in Lebanon on up to half of a 27-acre property that Deerfield owns between the Meijer store and Steeplechase apartments just over the Warren County line.

The remainder of the $3.25 million site could be used for other recreation, including a skate park, Deerfield Trustee Randy Kuvin said.

"It makes sense for us to do something with (Symmes) because we border them and we have many common interests," Kuvin said.

Township officials will discuss their ideas and gauge community support at a 7 p.m. public hearing Jan. 15 at Symmes Elementary School, 11820 Enyart Road. A representative of the Countryside Y also is expected to attend.

"We want to get some feedback from the public - if they want (the district) and what they want. This is an ideal time for them to speak up and let us know before we go too far," Symmes administrator Gerald Beckman said.

The joint district would allow Symmes to legally contribute tax money toward a project that's outside its borders. The townships could chip in to build and own the Y structure, and Countryside could operate it, Beckman said.

"It's pretty tough for a Symmes Township or a Deerfield Township by themselves to do these things," Beckman said. "So together we're doubling our resources and splitting the cost."

Officials in both townships have been talking for a year about building some type of a joint recreational facility, because residents expressed interest in a community pool. At the same time, Deerfield officials were trying to lure a Y after plans to put one in nearby Loveland were scrapped because of neighborhood opposition.

Symmes Trustee Kathy Wagner, who has been involved in the search for a location as well as planning, said she's hopeful the collaboration between townships will finally bring in a Y.

"Nothing is a done deal until we get the input from the public, but you can say I've got a smile on my face," she said.

Countryside Y president Steve Boland said he has been negotiating with Deerfield about building a Y there, and was aware Symmes could join in on the project.

He said a feasibility study is complete, and a letter of intent should be delivered in April or May.

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E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com or esolvig@enquirer.com