Terminology

To the Editor:

Thank you, Amy Long, for your letter to the editor on Aug. 29. Your statements, “The YMCA and the Foundation will operate the YMCA in a manner that does not require ongoing or annual financial assistance from the city. The YMCA has never stated that they will need to rely on the City to cover operational costs.”

Furthermore, Fairmont Foundation’s Facebook page, posted Aug. 23 states; “The YMCA and the Foundation will operate the YMCA in a manner that does not require ongoing or annual financial assistance from the city. The YMCA has never stated that they will need to rely on the City to cover operational costs. In fact, one of the reasons the Foundation has been established is to ensure sustainable operations of the Community Center without the City’s assistance.” I want to believe these statements mean all costs to operate and maintain the Community Center building.

Citizens 4 a Strong Fairmont have been trying to educate Fairmont citizens about this very detail; that there can be a disconnect on terminology of operating and maintaining a facility. We have asked multiple times about the two terms and have only been told about operating costs, with no information on maintenance costs. So we used the best data available knowing we were making a best guess based upon other similar facilities as to maintenance costs (not operational costs). If the Fairmont Community Center Foundation and the YMCA do not plan to assume responsibility of maintenance costs, such as janitorial services, utilities, and long-term upkeep, please inform Fairmont citizens. We need to know this very important detail.

Terry Riggs

Fairmont