Sarasota YMCA closing both fitness centers in September (McIntosh: appointed, apartments)

[Sunshine Rules]

For those of you in the city of Sarasota or the Palmer Ranch area, you may want to know that the YMCA announced today they will be closing the fitness centers at both of the Sarasota locations in September.

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2019/07/2...tness-centers/

The news story on TV mentioned that the YMCA will be looking for buyers for both properties but that they do not have any prospects at this time.

Sad to see them close.

[craigiri]

This is quite sad...as these types of facilities are a big draw for many.

[beach43ofus]

Something is terribly wrong here. I lived very close to the Potter Park facility, and that place was PACKED ALL THE TIME.

If you cannot make money with the hoards of people going into, and out of there, then it's clearly mismanagement.

I was going to join, but I could never find a parking spot it was so overcrowded. The parking situation is why I didn't join.

I would suggest looking at what the top execs are making at the Y. I would also increase parking at Potter Park.

As a business consultant with an MBA, and a history of successful turnarounds, I could easily fix this.

I suggest eliminating the playground at the rear of the property (underutilized), and convert that space into additional parking and pickleball courts (fastest growing sport in America). I'd also call for a total review of all executive comp plans to weed out the fat. There must be a ton of fat there.

Potter Park YMCA would do a 180 under my plan. I cannot speak to the other location since I do not have knowlege of that site.

[CapnTrips]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Something is terribly wrong here. I lived very close to the Potter Park facility, and that place was PACKED ALL THE TIME.

If you cannot make money with the hoards of people going into, and out of there, then it's clearly mismanagement.

I was going to join, but I could never find a parking spot it was so overcrowded. The parking situation is why I didn't join.

I would suggest looking at what the top execs are making at the Y. I would also increase parking at Potter Park.

As a business consultant with an MBA, and a history of successful turnarounds, I could easily fix this.

I suggest eliminating the playground at the rear of the property (underutilized), and convert that space into additional parking and pickleball courts (fastest growing sport in America). I'd also call for a total review of all executive comp plans to weed out the fat. There must be a ton of fat there.

Potter Park YMCA would do a 180 under my plan. I cannot speak to the other location since I do not have knowlege of that site.

Bad news! My wife and I are members at the Potter branch, and we are very disappointed.


How does a gym that is usually busy lose money? I agree -- likely bad management. I was talking to someone there a few weeks ago about their failed "towel policy"," in which that lost thousands of dollars in towels to theft over many months until they finally decided to stop passing out free towels.


I have to think that someone will buy the facility eventually. It is important because it serves as more than just a gym. Its a community center, important to many residents of the Palmer Ranch area. I personally know a few seniors who go there every single day -- it provides structure and purpose to their daily routine, and therefore it is important to their mental/emotional health.


The idea about pickleball courts is a good one.

[Zeti Li]

Maybe wrong doing going on, like stealing or maybe embezzlement which has happened all around SarasotaCounty for decades ha ha - something smell

[craigiri]

Originally Posted by Zeti Li

Maybe wrong doing going on, like stealing or maybe embezzlement which has happened all around SarasotaCounty for decades ha ha - something smell

Par for the course. But usually the criminals just skim rather than killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Adding the obvious to the towel stories, it's possible that everyone is "on the take"...or at least too many! Sooner or later there is nothing left!

The MBA above who claims they could fix does not figure on "what if I cannot find help who are not criminals at heart?" or "what if a large percentage of my customers steal stuff?".

In the end, an immoral or unethical populace cannot be ruled in the usual manners.

BTW, isn't the other facility around the corner (Friendship Center?) somewhat similar in providing community support for seniors (at least)????

https://friendshipcenters.org/servic...ivity-centers/

[Mchrismsw]

Sad to see this happen. Maybe a cooperate gym like 24hr fitness or L.A fitness can take advantage of this oppertunity?

Also I'm a social worker and YMCA is a collateral that's serves the community and contracted by the state for case management and cps and foster family services.

Wondering what will happen to that aspect of thier organization?

[Zeti Li]

corruption and mismanagement - some graft even in local foundations

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by Mchrismsw

Sad to see this happen. Maybe a cooperate gym like 24hr fitness or L.A fitness can take advantage of this oppertunity?

Also I'm a social worker and YMCA is a collateral that's serves the community and contracted by the state for case management and cps and foster family services.

Wondering what will happen to that aspect of thier organization?

The Potter Park location is a bit off the beaten path, and lacks visibility from a high traffic-count roadway. The existing buildings are dated. I'm guessing there's a developer who already has plans drawn up for that site. I predict we'll be seeing high density three story condo's, or apartments there

The social work could move to a nearby Church along McIntosh, just North of Central Sarasota Pkwy.

[Sunshine Rules]

Update story:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2019/07/3...omorrow-night/

Push to save both Sarasota YMCAs, town hall meeting scheduled for tomorrow night