NOTE Photo by Gregory Bacon JCC President Daniel DeMarte, left, and YMCA Interim Executive Director John Barber discuss the $43 million project at the JCC’s Athletic Complex during the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting. The project would serve both entities.

MAYVILLE – A $43 million project at Jamestown Community College that would include space for the YMCA has the support of Chautauqua County lawmakers.

On Wednesday, the Legislature voted 16-1 to set aside $6 million in county funding for the project, following a presentation by JCC President Daniel DeMarte and YMCA Interim Executive Director John Barber.

The JCC’s portion of the project is expected to cost $24 million. By law, Chautauqua County must agree to contribute 25% of the project first before New York State will consider funding its share, which is 50%. The JCC would be responsible for the remaining 25%.

For the YMCA side, that organization is responsible for raising $19.2 million for its share. The nonprofit is applying for various grants, one of which would cover the majority of its portion if approved.

DeMarte said the proposal now goes to the state for its part. If it were to become part of the state’s 2025-26 budget, DeMarte said it’s possible design work could begin next year and construction could begin in 2026.

He said earlier that he is confident that the project will receive support from the state.

The project focuses on expanding the JCC’s athletic complex, including creating two multi-use turf fields to accommodate soccer, baseball and softball.

The JCC has been trying to upgrade its sports fields for several years. College officials have noted that some high schools have better fields than the college does.

The college recruits internationally for its sports teams, and college athletes are often housed in JCC dormitories and pay a higher tuition than New York state residents.

Meanwhile, Barber noted that they have been looking to upgrade their facilities for a while now as well.

Barber said their current location is 100 years old and struggles to accommodate people with certain disabilities.

Their final proposal was a $33 million facility. They had raised about $5 million of it before the project stalled.

Still, Barber believes this project with the JCC is even better. “What we have the opportunity to do here is actually something that’s more transformative, something that’s collaborative, and something that makes connections, that gets better together,” he said.

He said they are in the process of applying for a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that, depending on the decision, could fund a large portion of their needs.

Last year, the JCC wanted to upgrade Diethrick Park. DeMarte said that between their project at Diethrick Park and the YMCA’s proposal to build a new facility on Harrison Street, they were looking at $70 million for both of them. This combined project saves more than $25 million.

DeMarte also believes the project does more than just save money. “This project is not just a partnership but a unique collaboration between two organizations with complementary missions,” he said.

He continued, “We are confident that this partnership has the potential to make a significant and positive impact on our community, the YMCA and the JCC.”

Before the vote, lawmakers generally expressed support but had some questions for both DeMarte and Barber.

Barber was asked about their current facility on East Fourth Street.

He noted that on the third and fourth floors are federally funded apartments and the YMCA has committed to keeping those apartments there, which are under contract for another 10 years. He said they can either rent out their old building or sell it, as long as the apartments continue to be used.

Another question being asked is how the new location will no longer be in downtown Jamestown and would that affect the YMCA’s mission.

Barber agreed they will be “a little less central” at the JCC, but noted how since there is a YMCA in Lakewood, this new location will help them reach a new area of ​​town and also be closer to the Falconer community. He also said they might be able to use the county’s CHQ Transit buses for teenagers who need a ride.

Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, asked DeMarte if the college would be willing to sell any of its buildings to help cover costs.

DeMarte responded that they are considering selling the college’s annex building, but school officials don’t think that will generate much money.

Legislator Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, said he has had some of his constituents ask him about supporting this project, as JCC North’s staff has been without a contract for five years. “I’ve heard your side and I’ve heard the other side. You have to sit down and you have to hash this out.” he said.

Bankoski still voted for the project.

Niebel was the only lawmaker to vote against it. After the meeting, he explained his reasoning. “I just thought a $6 million request from the county was pretty little. I would have liked to see the JCC do more to try to reduce the $43 million project cost. Maybe they could have talked to foundations and gotten more of a firm commitment from some of them.” he said.

In addition to the sports fields, some other highlights of the project include:

– Shared smart classroom space for academic classes, tutoring, youth mentoring and community programming.

– Conference rooms and office suites.

– Two six-lane competition pools to accommodate JCC and YMCA swim teams and open swimming. Both pools will be American with Disabilities Act compliant and one pool will include adaptive equipment to serve people with disabilities.

– Sauna and steam bath.

– Two ADA competition gymnasiums to accommodate JCC athletics, YMCA leagues and open gym.

– High-quality childcare and services for infants to 5-year-old children.

– After school and babysitting.

– Teenage centre.

– Intergenerational centre.

– Family and universal changing rooms and public toilets.

– Shared health and wellness center and group fitness studios with free weights, universal systems, TRX stations and cardio equipment.

– Shared flexible programming space.

– Shared storage.

– Common outdoor area with designated recreational and comfort areas including a playground adjacent to the day care center.