Alvin is planning to acquire the Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA building, located at 3201 Highway 35, to function as the city's parks and recreation facility.
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Alvin approves $5.6M purchase of YMCA building to transform to city recreation center
Published: Tue, 01/09/24
Alvin approves $5.6M purchase of YMCA building to transform to city recreation center
Alvin is planning to acquire the Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA building, located at 3201 Highway 35, to function as the city's parks and recreation facility.
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Houston Chronicle
By Pooja Bhakta, Staff writer
Alvin City Council approved the purchase of the Thelma Ley Anderson YMCA building, with plans to transform it into a recreational facility owned and operated by the city.
City council members unanimously approved the $5.6 million purchase at a Jan. 4 meeting. Council member Joel Castro was absent during the meeting.
The YMCA of the Greater Houston board of directors approved the purchase and sales agreement at a Dec. 12 meeting ahead of the city council's vote.
The city council approved a $6.15 million bond ordinance in August that will largely be used for the purchase and renovation of the facility.
The recreation center is projected to open in the summer of 2024, according to a presentation from October.
History of the facility
The $5.6 million facility, located at 3201 South Highway 35, was built on property donated to the city in 1989 by the Briscoe family, according to city documents.
The city and YMCA entered into a ground lease agreement in 2005 that allowed the organization to construct and operate the facility.
In June, the council approved City Manage Junru Roland to negotiate a letter of intent to purchase the building after YMCA officials announced their interest in selling the building.
Nearly 150 community members supported plans for the facility presented by Mayor Gabe Adame, city staff and YMCA representatives at a town hall meeting in August, according to a news release.