Northern Berkshire YMCA Waiting On Pool Engineering Report
The pool is empty and the doors locked at the YMCA. The rest of the building is open and operating.
That section of the YMCA closed nearly five weeks ago after the roof failed a required structural inspection.
Jess Rumlow, the CEO and executive director, told the dozens that attended a community meeting on Wednesday that an inspection is required every two years.
Last time it passed; this time it failed.
Wthout an engineering report in hand, she did not have specific answers but wanted to begin a conversation with the community about the immediate and long-term future of the facility.
"We need to have a lot of conversations, we need to make sure that whatever we do is what the community needs and so that's what I'm hoping this conversation is about today," she said. "I'm not going to be able to answer your questions because I don't have those answers but what we can do is we can hear from you about what questions you have."
Rumlow said the specific issue is that the ceiling beams aove the pool had begun to compress, and there were concerns over what a heavy snowfall could do.
"Then we got 24 inches of snow," she said, referring to the March 14 storm that dumped upwards of 40 inches across the regiona.
Building Inspector William Meranti measured the beams prior to the storm and then after — some of the beams had dropped an inch.
This triggered a full investigation of the pool facility and a structural engineer was hired to do a complete survey of the roof and ceiling.
Rumlow said this was done about two weeks ago and that the report should be complete any day now.
"So we're still waiting on the report. We are actively engaged in conversations. We're actively working together as a partnership," she said. "But until we know the full scope of what we're dealing with it's really hard to come up with a plan."
The only news she did have was that Hotel Down Street on Main Street has allowed YMCA users limited access to its pool in the interim.
She said the hotel pool is smaller and instead of being able to facilitate 50 swimmers, it can hold about 10 at a time. She said the experience will be different, and users may be limited to in-place activities instead of swimming laps.
There currently are morning slots Monday, Wednesday and Friday and swimmers can call the Northern Berkshire YMCA to claim spots. She said it will work similarly to how pool time was organized under COVID-19 restrictions.
She said the YMCA is providing a lifeguard, instructors, and equipment.
Unfortunately, this partnership will only last until Memorial Day and Rumlow said the YMCA is actively seeking new partnerships.
"My goal is that once we get something going we're not going to you and saying we have no plan again," she said. "But these things take time."
She said they have yet to really open up conversations with pool facilities in Williamstown as well as explore different outdoor swimming opportunities this summer. She said although there are liability and lifeguard staffing issues to consider, these options are still on the table.
Rumlow did say all users have the ability to use the YMCA pools in Bennington and Pittsfield, and if there is a need and want, specific Northern Berkshire time slots and programming can be scheduled. She did acknowledge that this is not a solution for everyone, especially those with difficulties traveling.
YMCA leadership and city staff fielded questions that were more an exercise in speculation.
Meranti was able to provide some details on the cause of the damage noting that although the roof lasted a long time, it was poorly designed. He said both exterior and interior moisture from the pool contributed to the damage.
He did not have a timeframe without the engineering report but did note the best-case scenario may be a quick and inexpensive but temporary fix. The worst-case scenario would be a full roof replacement that would certainly keep the pool dry for some time.
Meranti clarified that it is a city building and that the city is expediting the process.
"Believe it or not, this is the expedited procedure. We're treating it as an emergency and we're pushing as fast as we can to try to avoid as much of the red tape as we can," he said. "We have multiple engineers working on this, and we are waiting for reports. But that all takes time."
He added that the administration has also begun looking at different funding sources to address actual construction if needed.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said at Tuesday's City Council meeting that officials were "hoping to have an action plan on that building very soon. But we are at the mercy of the engineering report."
The panel heard testimonials from pool users, many now elderly who said they learned how to swim at the YMCA. Others said the pool was critical to their mental and physical health, and some that their health has deteriorated since its closure. There were also parents who spoke about the importance of youth programming.
Hearing so many different voices, Rumlow reaffirmed that the YMCA is more than a North Adams facility.
"I think some of the key things that I've heard is that this is a Northern Berkshire community facility. It is not just in the North Adams facility. And so that's where this conversation can be larger," she said. "Some of the biggest concerns that I've heard is this going to be why the Y leaves this community … We're here today because we don't want to leave this community, and we do believe in this community, the impact that the YMCA has, and all of your stories."
Some YMCA members spoke more generally about the 30-year-old building and felt the entire facility has fallen into disrepair. Many advocated for looking at a more substantial renovation similar to $12.4 million invested in Pittsfield.
Rumlow noted that the Pittsfield renovation took years to complete. She said this is not off the table in North Adams but a lot of work would needs to be done.
"The pool is a big issue at hand right now, but we have heard you guys that you want more. You want a facility you can be proud of, you want different opportunities," she said. "That starts with research, that starts with a community needs assessment, and fundraising market analysis."
Others pointed to the structure of the Northern Berkshire YMCA. One user said it is "hopelessly complex" as the YMCA, the city, and North Adams Public Schools all have some jurisdiction over the property (which is attached to Brayton School). One user said she was not sure who to send a check to to support a project.
Rumlow said there have been internal conversations about the current complex partnerships and lease agreements at the Northern Berkshire YMCA, which merged with the Pittsfield Family YMCA in 2015.
"We all came into this and this was the arrangement that was pre-existing all of the leaders sitting here today," she said. "So we are trying our best to figure out what this should look like and start that conversation. But once again, I have no clear answer for you other than to say, I agree."
Some users felt the YMCA needed to be more proactive and start a capital campaign immediately to address the roof. There was a feeling that waiting too long would kill momentum with possible donors waiting in the wings.
Rumlow thanked the users for their input and noted that the meeting was only the first part of a longer conversation about the YMCA.
"At this point, we have to trust the process because we have to. It's our only option right now. I know that it's hard, I know some of you feel like this is been a long conversation, and a long time coming," she said. "So we need to have answers and unfortunately, I think time ran out a little bit in order for us to be proactive in our response and now we're responding … But just trust us that we are committed to figuring out our next steps."
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