To the Editor:
It has come to our attention that a telephone survey is being conducted in Town regarding the new YMCA at Mahackeno. I am writing to inform the public that the Y is in no way involved with this survey and does not condone its content or style whatsoever. We understand that it is being conducted by private citizens.
Regrettably, many people who were contacted believed that the Y was conducting this survey and they contacted us to express various concerns about the nature of the survey and the manner in which it was conducted.
We regret that some may have mistakenly but understandably ֖ thought the Y had commissioned this survey. Although we did not, we welcome the opinions of all at any time and we invite you to learn more about the new Y at Mahackeno by visiting our website at http://www.westportymca.org/imagine.
The YMCA is a private organization that serves a very public mission. Although it receives no Town or other public funding, the Y is very much a community organization, dedicated to serving a community mission and meeting the needs of the community. As a result, we solicit community input every day regarding the programs and services we provide and we have done so in numerous ways regarding the need for a new Y.
For the past 10 years, the Y has engaged with the community in an effort to find a new home for the Y. This has included countless meetings, public hearings, informal conversations, membership and other surveys, personal interviews, and more. Throughout this process, several things have become very clear:
The community recognizes the vital role played by the Y
Օ The community recognizes the desperate need for a new Y facility
The community does not support using public property for private purposes
For this reason and others, our search for a home for the new Y focused on Mahackeno Ֆ a 32-acre piece of property abutting the Merritt Parkway at Exit 41 that we have owned for more than 50 years. When we looked closely at Mahackeno, we realized what an ideal location it is for the new Y. It will not only be a fantastic facility, it will be a truly one-of-a-kind resource that offers programs and a setting that will be unrivaled in all of New England.
Although we are pleased with the broad support for the new Y at Mahackeno that exists within the community, what is most encouraging is that the more people learn about the project its environmental design, its placement in the most removed part of the property, its potential for truly innovative programming, its integration with the camp, the opportunities for outdoor recreation and more ֖ the more they share our incredible enthusiasm for this new community resource.
So, although it is always helpful to receive input, we doubt that a survey at this point will yield any new insights, particularly when it presents an option locating the Y on Town-owned Baron֒s South property that is simply not viable and that has already been thoroughly opposed and decided against by Town residents and elected officials.
Again, I regret any misunderstandings regarding this survey and hope that anyone who has been upset by this survey will not hold the Y responsible.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Richard A. Foot
YMCA Executive Director / CEO
Westport / Weston YMCA
