(Spirit Lake)– Controversy is surfacing over a proposal to build a YMCA in Dickinson county.
It came up at last evening’s Spirit Lake City Council meeting as members debated whether or not the city should donate money to the project.
Representatives of several privately owned fitness centers expressed opposition to the city making any donations. They contend the city shouldn’t contribute to a non-profit organization when it could negatively impact businesses that pay property taxes.
A motion for the city to donate 750-thousand dollars to the new “Y” died on a two-two tied vote. Council member Barb Ricke was absent for last evening’s meeting.
A joint meeting will be held in the near future consisting of a couple of council members, owners of the fitness centers and those promoting the YMCA to see if some kind of common ground can be reached.
