NICEVILLE — Although the future of the local YMCA remains uncertain, it can stay at Palm Plaza until the end of the year.
Rudy Wright, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Emerald Coast,said the organization continues to look for properties in the Niceville area, but has been given an extended lease.
“This is a good news story for us to be able to remain open,” said Wright, who took over June 17.
The original agreement between the YMCA and Ruckel Properties for its storefront at Palm Plaza was through the end of June. The new lease will run through the end of December.
“This gives us some options for a location in the Niceville area,” Wright said. “We’re looking for something around 7,000 (square) feet that would allow us to contiue our land fitness programs.”
Steve Ruckel with Ruckel Properties said his business has been covering much of the cost to keep the Y open. Ruckel said the market rate of the property is around $10 a square foot and the YMCA pays a little less than $3.
“We’re working with them to keep them in the Palm Plaza, so hopefully they’ll have time to find a place in town that’s better suited for them,” Ruckel said. “We’ve reached a mutual agreement that we’ll help find them a place because we don’t want to kick them out of the plaza.
“This time should help them find a place so they can have an orderly transition.”
The Y has been at Palm Plaza for six years. It features a fitness center, weights area, childcare facility and acquatic center. Travis King, the branch’s facility manager, said today will be the final day for the acquatic center.
“We’re only in this builfing for a short time, and the amount of money it costs to run that, it’s just not financially cost effective for the remainder of our lease,” King said. “We’ll be adding a couple of community group-specific classes to recoup for losing that amenity.”
The Destin and Fort Walton Beach YMCAs have acquatic centers that Niceville members can use, Wright said.
Since the YMCA announced its possible closure in March, the community has rallied to try to keep it open. But the donations have not been enough for the Y to stay at Palm Plaza.
“The community at large has stepped up and we are very appreciative,” King said. “For now, we have two properties we are looking at, but nothing is certain.”