Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150107
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And it included one statement that has been disputed by the institution that owns the center's building - Roanoke College.
The release contained the following:
"In October 1995, the lease on the Salem Center will expire. At this time, the college is reviewing future use of the facility. At present, the YWCA will continue in its current lease, subject to the usual ongoing review process of the overall Association.
"Anticipating the October '95 lease expiration, the YWCA plans to adapt its Central [downtown Roanoke] Center for handicapped-accessible usage, and will prepare for the consolidation of programs at that location.
"The YWCA remains committed to serving ALL of its members and participants, particularly those with special needs. Accordingly, the YWCA stands ready to help locate and identify alternate resources within the community for those with critical, therapeutic health-maintenance requirements."
So will the Salem center close?
"We know October 1995 is approaching," said Harriet Lewis, the YWCA's executive director. "Roanoke College has said to us that they are reviewing future use of the facility. And we're reviewing on a continual basis where we stand as an association."
But Roanoke College says it has no "definitive" plans for the building, nor has the college discussed with the YWCA any future use of the building.
"On Oct. 26, there was a meeting, held at the request of the YWCA, between Roanoke College officials and YWCA officials," said Teresa Thomas, the college's director of public relations.
"The lease was discussed. Extending the lease beyond October 1995 was not discussed by either party. It was also agreed that Roanoke College would not hold the YWCA to the remainder of their lease if the Y chose not to use the Salem facility."
The college has, in the past, accommodated the YWCA financially. In 1992, the college reduced the YWCA's rent by approximately 30 percent at the Y's request, Thomas said. She said the college has worked in the past few weeks to provide an "arrangement" for the YWCA and the college.
But the current rent is just enough to cover what the college spends to keep the building operating, Thomas said.
"The college is a nonprofit institution and cannot use student fees to subsidize programs sponsored by other organizations," she said.
Since 1985, the YWCA has leased an activities building on Roanoke College's Elizabeth campus. The building has a heated indoor swimming pool - one of the few in the Roanoke area medically approved for use by arthritis patients - a full-sized gymnasium and three multipurpose rooms.
Some YWCA members who use the Salem Center exclusively for its heated pool - which is equipped with a lift - are concerned that the downtown YWCA center will not be as handicapped-accessible.
Lewis said the YWCA plans to adapt the 64-year-old downtown center for use by handicapped people. Cost has not yet been determined.
"We're looking at shuttle service from the parking lot," she said. "We're talking with the city about the possibility of handicapped parking somewhere close."
Board President Ginny Allison said the YWCA wants to provide complete services at the center "that we do own."
"In order to be prudent, we need to have it desirable for our members," she said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***