LYC Withdraws From Community Center Project
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Plans for a proposed community center at Lakeside Park were thrown a curve Monday when Lakeland Youth Center board of directors president Sherman Goldenberg announced the not-for-profit organization has decided not to participate in the project.
Goldenberg advised park board members Bill Wight, Lynn Allegret, Jerry Riffle and Nancy Duehmig of the LYC board's decision Monday night during a rescheduled park board meeting.
"I'm sorry," Goldenberg said. "We've had a growing concern about support for the project and this was certainly expressed within our own board."
Goldenberg said 15 of 21 board members were present Sunday to vote on whether to continue with the community center and all 15 voted to withdraw.
"It's time we started the wheels turning on our own project," he said. Goldenberg indicated the center of LYC operations would remain in Syracuse, either expanding at the current facility or moving to a new location.
Goldenberg said he didn't believe plans for the community center have moved along as much as the LYC board had anticipated.
No design has been finalized for the anticipated $2.6 million facility, a cost several organizations were expected to share. The land has been surveyed.
Duehmig took Goldenberg to task saying that she was very disappointed in LYC.
"We're much further down the road than you perceive," she said. "I've sat down with you and with the architect for hours getting your portion just perfect. We're so close to seeing it complete. I consider this a real drawback and I really, personally, feel you have chucked your responsibilities to the town."
Goldenberg said the LYC never firmly committed to the project and it's programs are growing by leaps and bounds.
"We're at three times our anticipated growth," he said. "Tomorrow we'll announce a preschool program. We have gymnastics and many after- school activities that are not exclusive of this town. Our mission is to Milford, Syracuse and North Webster.
"This is a very fractious community," Goldenberg said. "The scouts want their own building, the seniors want their own building. People don't want to pull together. It's not our responsibility. We have our own energy to use and we need to move ahead."
Wight asked that the LYC board put their thoughts in writing for the town council to review.
Also attending the meeting from LYC were David Granger and director Brian Rensberger.
The parks department has worked on community center building since February 1999. Various groups have been invited to participate and share costs of the building.
Last year former parks superintendent Susan Neff said the department will go ahead with construction even if no groups commit to the building. A garage and an indoor multipurpose pavilion also were in the plans at that time.
Scout cabin plans were presented by park superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh.
The two-story building, to be located along Henry Street, will contain a room for scouting activities, a main meeting room, and a kitchen, and measure 100 feet by 40 feet.
The board reviewed 226 surveys from citizens that show support for a senior center in the community. Seventy-six percent of respondents said they want a center and believe the community center would be a good place for it. More than 448 surveys were sent out by R.P. Murphy and Associates.
In other business the board:
• Heard from Hixenbaugh regarding playground modifications to Ward Park and Lake Side Park.
Tree maintenance was discussed at Lakeside Park and Hoy's Beach with the board agreeing to implement a tree planting program.
Hixenbaugh outlined summer programs and senior programs sponsored by the park department.
• Acknowledged the receipt of a bid from Smith Lawn Care for mowing in the amount of $5,300. The board asked Hixenbaugh to go over all the requirements for mowing with Smith.
• Heard from Hixenbaugh he will give community center presentations to Rotary on March 28 and to the chamber of commerce March 27. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Plans for a proposed community center at Lakeside Park were thrown a curve Monday when Lakeland Youth Center board of directors president Sherman Goldenberg announced the not-for-profit organization has decided not to participate in the project.
Goldenberg advised park board members Bill Wight, Lynn Allegret, Jerry Riffle and Nancy Duehmig of the LYC board's decision Monday night during a rescheduled park board meeting.
"I'm sorry," Goldenberg said. "We've had a growing concern about support for the project and this was certainly expressed within our own board."
Goldenberg said 15 of 21 board members were present Sunday to vote on whether to continue with the community center and all 15 voted to withdraw.
"It's time we started the wheels turning on our own project," he said. Goldenberg indicated the center of LYC operations would remain in Syracuse, either expanding at the current facility or moving to a new location.
Goldenberg said he didn't believe plans for the community center have moved along as much as the LYC board had anticipated.
No design has been finalized for the anticipated $2.6 million facility, a cost several organizations were expected to share. The land has been surveyed.
Duehmig took Goldenberg to task saying that she was very disappointed in LYC.
"We're much further down the road than you perceive," she said. "I've sat down with you and with the architect for hours getting your portion just perfect. We're so close to seeing it complete. I consider this a real drawback and I really, personally, feel you have chucked your responsibilities to the town."
Goldenberg said the LYC never firmly committed to the project and it's programs are growing by leaps and bounds.
"We're at three times our anticipated growth," he said. "Tomorrow we'll announce a preschool program. We have gymnastics and many after- school activities that are not exclusive of this town. Our mission is to Milford, Syracuse and North Webster.
"This is a very fractious community," Goldenberg said. "The scouts want their own building, the seniors want their own building. People don't want to pull together. It's not our responsibility. We have our own energy to use and we need to move ahead."
Wight asked that the LYC board put their thoughts in writing for the town council to review.
Also attending the meeting from LYC were David Granger and director Brian Rensberger.
The parks department has worked on community center building since February 1999. Various groups have been invited to participate and share costs of the building.
Last year former parks superintendent Susan Neff said the department will go ahead with construction even if no groups commit to the building. A garage and an indoor multipurpose pavilion also were in the plans at that time.
Scout cabin plans were presented by park superintendent Mike Hixenbaugh.
The two-story building, to be located along Henry Street, will contain a room for scouting activities, a main meeting room, and a kitchen, and measure 100 feet by 40 feet.
The board reviewed 226 surveys from citizens that show support for a senior center in the community. Seventy-six percent of respondents said they want a center and believe the community center would be a good place for it. More than 448 surveys were sent out by R.P. Murphy and Associates.
In other business the board:
• Heard from Hixenbaugh regarding playground modifications to Ward Park and Lake Side Park.
Tree maintenance was discussed at Lakeside Park and Hoy's Beach with the board agreeing to implement a tree planting program.
Hixenbaugh outlined summer programs and senior programs sponsored by the park department.
• Acknowledged the receipt of a bid from Smith Lawn Care for mowing in the amount of $5,300. The board asked Hixenbaugh to go over all the requirements for mowing with Smith.
• Heard from Hixenbaugh he will give community center presentations to Rotary on March 28 and to the chamber of commerce March 27. [[In-content Ad]]