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SYRACUSE - It's official.
Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse, confirmed its interest in pursuing the community center project with the Syracuse Park Board. Scott Abbs, Youth Center board president, presented a letter Monday to the park board that lays out the center's understanding of the partnership.
The letter states the youth center has outgrown its current facility and is investigating alternatives to expand its programs.
The letter also states: "After a series of discussions and careful analysis, we believe a carefully formed relationship could benefit the members of the communities which our organizations serve. We encourage other community organizations to participate to fully develop the vision of the Community Center."
Under the terms outlined in the letter, the youth center will remain an independent, non-profit organization serving youth. LYC will use and control specific portions of the center based upon a written lease agreement to be worked out later.
The youth center may want to modify the current design. Building fund commitments and donations for LYC will be managed separately from the community center, though they will be pooled with other donations toward the total building cost, according to the letter.
If enough money isn't raised through fund raising to pay off the community center, LYC will pay up to $30,000 per year in lease costs.
Abbs said, "It makes sense to everyone and was pretty much a unanimous decision."
After discussion of LYC's involvement, Abbs said one aspect of the community center that hasn't been addressed is programs for baby boomers (ages 45 to 70). He said youths have been addressed and older senior citizens, but not baby boomers.
"I really don't see where we're going to hit the baby boomers-plus," Abbs said.
Park board member Jenny Lambright said a committee could be formed to work on reaching baby boomers.
"I've been telling everyone this center is for all ages," said Lambright, "not just for seniors, not just for youth, but for everyone."
Abbs also suggested several modifications to the community center to better accommodate the youth center and the baby boomers' potential needs.
Park board members suggested having the community center architect return for a meeting with the park board and the youth center to determine what modifications can be made.
In other business, the park board discussed the needs of the concession stand once the community center is built.
Wes and Margaret Arendt, owners of "Heavenly Snowballs" and current operators of the concession stand at Lakeside Park, told the board their concerns and needs.
Wes Arendt said when he first started concessions at the park, his objective was to promote and sell the snowballs. They eventually got slightly away from that with food sales but still sell the snowballs.
"We're interested in a concession stand in the new building," Arendt said. He said he believes they have done a good job with the concession stand and they've had a good time with it. He said he'd be willing to give input to the architect about the needs of a new concession stand.
"We still want to promote the Heavenly Snowballs and we're looking at a place downtown," he said.
Park board president Bill Wight said they need to continue to talk about concessions. They also need to decide if the concession stand will just sell candy and soft drinks or if it will become more restaurant-like, Wight said.
