By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
Less than a month after it was announced that the 8th Street YMCA would close on April 12, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners tonight voted to keep the facility open for a year.
Under an agreement between the UG and the YMCA, the UG will provide funding to keep the downtown branch open for one full year.
According to the UG agenda, up to $10,000 a month will be paid to the YMCA in order to pay costs associated with keeping the building in operation.
"We have a one-year agreement in place to allow the Unified Government and YMCA to look for a long term solution," said Dennis Hays, county administrator.
In a statement tonight, the YMCA said they would work with the UG to find a long-term solution to keep the 8th Street YMCA open for the foreseeable future.
"We are grateful to the Unified Government for their financial investment so that together we can continue to serve the Kansas City, Kan., community," said YMCA of Greater Kansas City President David Byrd. "It is our hope and intent to work with the Unified Government toward a long-term solution."
The UG Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on the proposal.
