YMCA

by Councilman Scott Peters
January 2003

Nobody would disagree that the YMCA is integral to the quality of life and sense of community we enjoy in La Jolla. Yesterday, as I joined the other parents waiting for the end of the season's first basketball practice, I realized again how many of my friends and neighbors enjoy youth sports at the YMCA, an activity far removed from work (and homework). And adults and children enjoy a variety of other activities at the YMCA. If, as it is often said, community is built through shared experience, it seems hard to overestimate the importance of the YMCA in building community here in La Jolla.

As you know, the City Council unanimously approved a lease extension for the La Jolla YMCA on May 1, 2001. The lease requires the YMCA to make a significant capital investment in the property within the next 25 years, according to a general development plan to be approved in the next six years. This capital investment requirement is standard for long-term leases of city property at nominal rents. However, the lease requires the YMCA to undergo a complete and public approval process for any proposal it makes. That approval process, besides being a requirement under state law, is especially important because of the significant off-site impacts that new investment in the property could entail.

In this case, neighbors are particularly worried about traffic and parking. Torrey Pines Elementary School parents are concerned that changes at the YMCA could worsen already stressed traffic, parking and usage patterns before and after school. Changes at the YMCA could also affect the adjacent Cliffridge Park. It seems to me that each of the affected parties should understand the needs of the others. The reaction to the YMCA proposals thus far suggest that the various parties need additional time to hear and respond to the concerns of the others.

I have told the YMCA board and others that I am willing to assemble a meeting of the various stakeholders to listen to each other and to see if we can understand the various concerns and to respond to them. The YMCA's representatives have indicated that they are open to this. I have also spoken with some parents from the school who like the idea of coordinating improvements at the YMCA with solutions to existing problems at the school. In addition, Lou Smith, who is Chief Operating Officer for the San Diego Unified School District, in charge of real property, thinks it's a great idea and will make sure that he and/or his staff participate. Finally, I think that La Jolla Youth, Inc. could offer some perspective on youth sports needs.

This collaboration could identify opportunities we have not yet thought of for our community. It seems natural to consider the three institutions as a whole in case there are opportunities for cooperation. The YMCA would be far better off with school parents and neighbors as partners rather than opponents.

I realize that the YMCA technically does not have to collaborate with other stakeholders. However, I believe that it would be wiser for the parties to have a dialogue that could identify and address the various concerns and thereby create the best plan for our children, the YMCA and area residents. I have impressed on the YMCA the need for an effective dialogue to consider creative ideas. The YMCA is willing to have this conversation, and I thank them for their good will.

I have made this overture to the stakeholders and community groups and intend to convene a meeting of 12 to 15 stakeholders within the next month. It is my hope that if we work together with open minds, we can invent approaches that support the YMCA and the quality of life for all of the neighbors, children and parents of La Jolla.