Cudahy's Board of Education considers purchase of South Shore YMCA facility

CUDAHY (WITI) -- Cudahy's Board of Education is consideringthe purchase of the South Shore YMCA facility in Cudahy -- and operating it as a community center. The YMCA is set to close this Saturday, January 31st.

The plan was discussed at a school board meeting Monday, January 26th.

"While we are very excited about the potential for a new community center, we have to carry out due diligence to develop a plan and timeline and consider all possibilities. There is a lot of work that will need to be done prior to the end of February when the board will make a formal decision to move forward or not. First and foremost, we need to determine if the building is still available. We then need to explore all financial implications -- both today and in the foreseeable future," School District of Cudahy Superintendent Dr. Jim Heiden said.

If there does appear to be an opportunity to purchase the South Shore YMCA facility, the School District of Cudahy's Board of Education will authorize a special meeting of the electorates and the participants will make the final decision as to whether to purchase the land. It is anticipated a referendum will be held to secure the funds to complete the purchase.

"We will remain focused on what will be the right decision for the children and families in Cudahy and the surrounding communities. We trust that our board, staff, community leaders and residents will come together to do what is best to open doors of opportunity for all who live and work here," Heiden said.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee announced the closure of the South Shore YMCA earlier this month.

As announced in June 2014, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee has been implementing a comprehensive restructuring plan designed to address its operating challenges, repay as much debt as possible and re-position the Milwaukee YMCA for the future. That plan called for the organization to establish a Milwaukee YMCA comprised of centers within (or very close to) the city of Milwaukee and sell off the majority of its owned real estate assets, including the South Shore YMCA, in order to pay down debt.

The Milwaukee YMCA’s leadership sought a new operator for the South Shore Y, but no buyers came forward with an offer.

A hearing to approve the Milwaukee YMCA’s complete restructuring plan has been scheduled for January 30th. If the reorganization plan is approved by the court, the Milwaukee YMCA will emerge from Chapter 11 smaller, debt free and better positioned to carry out its vision of a stronger, healthier Milwaukee where families of all incomes and backgrounds truly thrive.

For more information about the Milwaukee YMCA’s restructuring plan, please visit ymcamke.org/restructuring.



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