Dayton seeks to aid youth program

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Bobby Doss of Dayton, Tennessee

DAYTON, Tenn. - Two local YMCA groups have received city officials' approval for the use of a downtown building, but they'll need to figure out a scheduling conflict first, officials said at their monthly meeting.

"The 'Y' feels like we'd be providing a valuable service," Joe Smith, regional coordinator for the YMCA Community Action Program, said last week.

Y-CAP is an intervention and prevention group for juvenile-court referred students ages 10 to 14 that offers personalized tutoring, mentoring or counseling to help them achieve higher grades and better attendance.

The group now has centralized in Hamilton and Bradley counties, Smith said. He said the program was funded through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Education.

City Attorney Susan Arnold told Smith that the YMCA group "Silver Sneakers," consisting of nearly 40 seniors age 60 and over, had asked to use the vacant portion of the building for their workouts from 9:45 until 10:45 a.m. until October.

"The groups will need to coordinate scheduling," Arnold said.

Smith agreed and asked for a one-year "rent free" lease of the building.

Officials agreed that Y-CAP could provide a service for area students.

The question of the rental agreement and some repairs, which would include the installation of a kitchenette and interior painting, sparked a brief discussion.

Vice Mayor Steve Randolph asked about being in compliance with state codes if food is prepared in a city facility, and he said city maintenance crews would do any kitchenette installations.

Arnold said that the YMCA was responsible for repairs on previous occasions it had used the building.

Councilmen agreed to lease the building to the YMCA at $1 a year.

"It's a good deal," Councilman Bobby Doss said

Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@bellsouth.net.