Editor’s note: Read the Ste. Genevieve Library’s response immediately following the original announced.
From a news release
STE. GENEVIEVE — The Ste. Genevieve County Commission is pleased to announce a partnership with the Gateway Region YMCA in operating the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center.
On Tuesday, the Y began the transition to full management of all aspects of the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center but will not assume operational responsibilities until November 1, 2025.
The goal in the transition is to smoothly convert operations to Y specifications. The Y plans on retaining the existing Community Center employees as Y employees to help integrate the Y into the community more efficiently.
The Ste. Genevieve County Commission stresses that all of the property is retained by the county, with the Y fully managing all facility operations.
For almost a year, the commission has been working with the Y on contract negotiations that would mutually benefit the Y and Ste. Genevieve County in light of growing concerns about reductions in revenue to the county. These efforts culminated in a contract signing Monday, July 7 at the commission room in the courthouse, with the agreement set for five years.
At the end of the transition, the Y will be responsible for the majority of the operating expenses with the exception of major maintenance issues to the buildings. The county will still be responsible for the bond payments and will still provide some funding that will be discussed at a later date.
The Y will operate the facilities in a much more streamlined and economical way with their extensive expertise, greater staff capabilities and cost effectiveness.
Beginning November 1, the facility will be renamed the “Ste. Genevieve County YMCA”.
At that time, current Community Center members will automatically become members of the Y, giving them full access to all other 24 Y locations in Missouri and Illinois, and the many amenities and benefits that come with being a Y member in the region.
The Y facility in closest proximity to Ste. Genevieve is the Jefferson County YMCA. The Y also operates YMCA Trout Lodge Resort and the YMCA Camp Lakewood overnight camp in Potosi, Missouri.
The Gateway Region Y currently has similar partnerships with the City of Fenton in operating the River Chase Y, and the City of St. Louis in operating the Carondelet Park Rec Complex and the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex.
A public meeting with the commission and Y staff will be held at the Progress Sports Complex on July 16 at 6 p.m.
The Ste. Genevieve County Commission is looking forward to this partnership with the Y in putting the Community Center on a better financial and operational basis.
Ste. Genevieve County Library issues statement regarding Community Center operations transition
STE. GENEVIEVE — The Ste. Genevieve County Library has learned of the recent announcement that effective November 1, 2025, the YMCA will assume day-to-day operations of the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center.
At this time, we want to clarify that the Library was not involved in the discussions or decisionmaking process leading up to this transition.
As the County continues to own the building that houses both the Library and the Community Center, we fully expect to continue our operations and services to the public without interruption.
Following the announcement, Library Director Shawn Long spoke with County Commissioners and was assured that, at this point in time, the existing intergovernmental agreement between the Library, the Community Center, and the County remains unaffected.
We anticipate that this agreement, along with other operational matters, will be reviewed and clarified in the coming weeks as more details about the transition plan are shared.
We are also aware of recent online speculation regarding potential budget changes or reductions in library services.
We want to be clear: any such changes are solely the result of the failure of Proposition L and are unrelated to the decision to transition the Community Center’s operations to the YMCA.
While the failure of Prop L has impacted our budget and long-term planning, we remain committed to continuing the highest level of service possible with the resources available.
The Ste. Genevieve County Library remains dedicated to our mission of providing free access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities for lifelong learning.
We also look forward to meeting the incoming YMCA team and identifying opportunities to collaborate and partner in ways that benefit the community.
For questions or updates, please follow our website and social media channels or contact Library Director Shawn Long at 573-883-3358 or shawn.long@sgclib.org