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YMCA to dissolve; operations slated to cease on July 1
RACHEL TOWNSEND
The Dyer County YMCA, widely considered a community staple, will now be dissolved following a meeting of the Board of Executives and members. The official dissolution date has yet to be determined, however, operations are slated to cease effective July 1.
The meeting was held on Tuesday, June 25, at 5 p.m.
Before the membership meeting, the Board of Directors held a private meeting with YMCA of the USA officials, where they voted to dissolve. Following the executive meeting, a second vote was taken amongst gym members during a public meeting. Once again, the majority vote favored the dissolution.
Executives stated they are committed to finding alternative ways to keep programs going in the community and are disheartened at the need to dissolve the organization. They expressed hope for a resurgence of the Dyer County YMCA in future years, at a new location.
The Dyer County YMCA will continue cheer, football, camp, and all other children’s programs from the Dyersburg Sportsplex. The Silver Shoes Program will continue to be offered from a new location that has not yet been determined. Summer Feeding Programs hosted at the Dyer County YMCA by the Dyer County Extension Office will continue at West Tennessee Healthcare Hospital until August 3.
During the membership meeting, board executives informed members that the need to dissolve the organization stemmed from “a business model that had not been followed in years” and “financial hardships and cash flow issues”.
Executives stated gym membership had diminished as more competition moved into the area. They also cited the financial strain caused by COVID-19, a lack of grant funding, and fewer contributions and donations from the community.
When discussing the expenses of the building, board members stated the utilities alone ranged between $3K-$5K per month. Per the YMCA’s 2010 contract with the City of Dyersburg—owners of the building—the organization pays 75% of the cost of utilities. The lease for the building is $1 per year.
They also noted the state of disrepair the YMCA is stating the YMCA “The building has too many issues…it’s not viable for us to move forward in this building”.
While board members declined to comment on the number of years the organization had faced financial strain or the amount of debt incurred, they did inform the public that the number of funds required to keep the organization alive was “astronomical”.
Members of the public took turns to speak during the meeting, each expressing their desire to keep the organization alive in the community. Many of those members present had attended the YMCA for years, even decades.
“It breaks my heart,” said Phil Hardage, who has been a member of the YMCA since 1997.
Linda Rinehart has been teaching classes at the YMCA for years. She said she hopes to see the YMCA brought back to Dyer County and will look for other locations to host her program.
Allan Curtis noted that the YMCA is the only gym that offers childcare. He also shared his desire to see the organization brought back to life in the future.
Tom Neilson remarked on how the YMCA’s environment had provided his son, Zack, with a stigma-free environment to exercise and feel included regardless of his Down Syndrome.
Brad Vaughn, owner of the I AM Fitness Training, said he was passionate about doing his part to provide fitness programs to the community’s youth in the absence of the YMCA. He expressed plans to move into the YMCA building and continue offering the facility as a community gym.
Mary Beth Bernheisel offered to help the Board of Directors find alternate locations to host programs.
With no additional comments, the meeting adjourned.