By Perry Schaible
Enquirer Contributor

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - Officials here discussed a letter of intent Friday from the Ralph J. Stolle Countryside YMCA to partner on an 80,000-square-foot center on 15 acres of property owned by the township.

Steve Boland, president and CEO of Countryside YMCA, said the facility could be open as soon as 2006. The first step, he told trustees, is to respond to the Y's letter with their own letter of intent by May 15.

Deerfield Township trustees may join with neighboring Symmes Township to build the facility - likely to cost $10 million - which would be leased and operated by the Y.

The public will be given the opportunity to comment at the May 4 meeting of the trustees. Meanwhile, Symmes Township officials have scheduled two meetings in May for public comment.

Trustees discussed the letter for the first time Friday during a work session. Boland called the letter a "good faith" agreement.

Deerfield trustees Randy Kuvin and Barbara Wilkens Reed both said they consider the project a high priority for the township, but trustee Lee Speidel said he has some apprehension.

"I have some serious concerns how much use a branch of the Y or a recreation center would get," he said.

Deerfield Township officials received the letter of intent March 23.

The YMCA is being proposed on part of a 25-acre site Deerfield owns between Meijer and Steeplechase apartments on Montgomery Road. Of the $10 million price, which does not include land costs, Countryside would pay about half. The townships have not determined how they would share the remainder.

The Y will lease the facility for 20 years with the option to renew for additional terms. The township will receive $5 million over the 20 years - $2 million from the Y and $3 million from a partnership with a hospital that would sublease space.

Boland said if an outdoor pool is included in the project, it could be open by next summer.