PRYMCA a vital resource for the community

To the Editor;

An open letter to the Old Town Orono YMCA Board of Directors:

We are faithful, active members of the PRYMCA. We were devastated to learn of the closing, and have been encouraged and hopeful to learn that the OTOYMCA has promised to turn over the facility, assets, and endowment to our community.

The PRYMCA has been a vital resource for our community. Not only has it had the only swimming pool within an hour’s drive (longer for the northern portion of the region), it provides exercise equipment, classes, and childcare for those who couldn’t access it elsewhere. It’s crucial that such a resource remain open and available to all in our region. 

We are seniors, and although we don’t drive long distances much anymore, we are also very concerned about low-income families and their ability to have such resources available without a break in programming. Families are scrambling to find after-school care, the school after-school program is full, and people’s jobs will be at risk if there’s a delay in the transfer of assets, causing the facility to have to shut down for any length of time. 

For many in this region, this is one of the only sources of community, through classes and the friendly contacts from the front desk to the various activities that take place here. 

Your delay in transferring the assets will have a direct negative effect on our region. But if you would move forward and get the job done, you will be doing a positive service for all, which will reflect positively on you. 

Please don’t delay any longer. Get it done this week, and you will have our thanks and gratitude. 

Allison and Hunt Smith

Atkinson