By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - At the former Tri-City YMCA, signs by the phone remind workers to answer, "Boone County Community Recreation Center."

As of Tuesday, the 37-year-old facility on Main Street ceased being a YMCA and became a county community center.

But most callers don't know that, said center director Brian Rawlings.

"They are still calling the Y when they call here," he said.

Memberships from Tri-City were transferred to the new, 46,000-square-foot R.C. Durr YMCA in Burlington.

The county now owns Tri-City and has contracted with the YMCA to continue to run the 22,000-square-foot facility as a community recreation center.

Over the next three weeks, the center will hold three town meetings to help the staff decide what the facility should offer.

"I am trying to find out what programs and services people need," Rawlings said.

Though the indoor pool, gym and fitness center are already open, the center hopes to have a new slate of programs ready by Aug. 1.

"My feeling is we should offer something different than just fitness programs," Rawlings said.

One possibility is arts and education programs, "things like ceramics and dog obedience," he said. He would also like to see flag football or adult basketball leagues.

The center also will host community meetings and birthday parties.

It offers several different memberships. A full membership provides access to the fitness center, two pools, a gym and reduced class fees. It is $50 per month for a Boone County family and $62 for non-resident family. Memberships also can be purchased for each of the amenities.

Boone County wanted to keep the facility open to Kenton County residents because it is so close to the county line, he said.

Boone County paid the YMCA $2.5 million for the Tri-City YMCA and Union Swim Club. The county also paid the YMCA $500,000 so that the outdoor pool at the new YMCA would be open to county residents.

If you go

What: Town meetings about the Boone County Community Recreation Center.

Where: The center, formerly the Tri-City YMCA, at 212 Main St.

When: 7 p.m. Monday and June 15, June 24

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E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com