‘IT'S DEVASTATING': Destin YMCA set to shut doors July 31 (PHOTOS)

The financially struggling Destin YMCA will close its doors July 31, less than three years after they celebrated the grand opening of the Commons Drive aquatic facility.

As of Thursday, Mayor Sam Seevers said the city hadn’t been officially notified of the YMCA’s decision to close, “to her knowledge.”

“This absolutely blindsided me,” Seevers told The Log. “I didn’t know it was to this point. I knew they were considering closing, but didn’t know they had made it official.”

With news of the facility’s closing coming via a letter mailed out to the YMCA’s members, city leaders voted unanimously on July 5 to explore all available options when it comes to recouping a portion of the $1.4 million the city had loaned the YMCA for construction costs.

Councilman Larry Williges says the city needs to get back as much of the money they invested as possible, because they would only be getting “half of what was promised.” The loan was in exchange for 10 years worth of discounted memberships to Destin residents. Williges suggested the Y’s move could be considered a breach of contract.

“I don’t know quite how that works out… it smells to me like it,” Williges said, as he suggested City Attorney Jerry Miller get involved. “I don’t know if we are going to be out of some $700,000 dollars to the people of Destin.”

An executive memorandum from Jack Daly, interim CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s Emerald Coast, Inc., posted on the YMCA’s door, says details regarding the status of memberships are “under review” and would be announced soon.

“The board regrets this difficult decision, but the financial impact of donors not fulfilling pledges and the disappointing number of memberships left them with no other option to consider,” the memo reads.

The decision to close the facility not only puts Destin taxpayers in a pickle, but it also means that area schools and swimmers have to find a new place to practice.

“It’s devastating,” says Brad Kale, head coach of the Bluewater Barracudas swim team. “We use this pool five days a week.”

The Barracudas swim team has been using the Destin YMCA since February, due to its central location for the team’s swimmers from Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. Kale told The Log during Thursday morning’s practice that the Destin YMCA is by far the nicest they have been able to use.

The Barracudas have used various pools in the Bluewater Bay and Niceville area, in addition to the pool at Elgin Air Force Base.

“It’s like you are being asked to trade in your Hummer for an Escort,” Kale said.

Kale and Kathleen Broaderick, president of the Bluewater Barracudas board of directors, said they have been trying to come up with solutions to keep the facility a viable option for their kids.

“This is really going to hurt the team a lot,” Broaderick said. “We now have to find pools wherever we can… we are really just hoping that something happens and we don’t have to close this wonderful facility.”

“I’m not going to give up,” Kale added. “I’m going to do everything I can to keep this going, short of standing in front of the doors when they try and lock them.”

While it’s too early to tell what the fate of the Destin YMCA is going to be, Seevers said the city would look into every option available, even the possibility of the city taking over the facility.

“Anything at this point is possible,” she said. I would just hate to see this facility sit out there… it’s horrible to me, particularly when there is a need in our community for a swimming pool.”