While the City of Crossville and YMCA officials work together to hopefully bring an indoor recreational center to Crossville, questions have surfaced about the project.

Crossville Mayor R.J. Crawford and the city council have discussed multiple options for the indoor recreational center and multiple costs associated with those options.

In discussion with residents, the final plans that will come to the city council are estimated to have a maximum total cost of $39 million.

The property, located on Main Street across from city hall, will be under the authority of the newly formed Crossville Sports and Tourism Development Authority in partnership with the YMCA.

Officials say property taxes will not be used to pay down the debt caused by the cost of the center. The recreation center will be paid for by using local sales tax and budget savings. In addition, the YMCA will be contributing additional money to help pay the debt through a capital campaign they will oversee. This will reduce the overall price the city is responsible for by several million dollars and having the YMCA overseeing the center greatly reduces the risk to the city from yearly operational costs.

Additional revenue to pay the bond will be raised through an increase in sales tax revenue through increased tourism associated with sports tournaments to be held at the recreation center.

The YMCA will cover yearly operation costs based on memberships and fundraising, and their goal is to break even every month. Having the YMCA run the recreation center greatly reduces the risk to the city, leaving only the yearly debt service on the building responsible for the city. Through conservative fiscal management, the City of Crossville has positive cash margins in the yearly budget and significant savings creating a situation where Crossville can make this investment for the people without any type of tax increase to the public.

The rate for a family (2 adults and 2 dependents) to use the indoor recreational center will be $81 per month. However, if a family’s household income is less than $60,000, they can apply for the YMCA’s Open Doors Program. The program allows the YMCA to use a sliding scale to find the rate that best works for each household’s income. The YMCA works hard to never turn someone away because of inability to pay. There is also a senior rate which is $51 per month. Seniors can apply for the Open Doors Program as well. Many individuals aged 65 and over may receive a free membership to the YMCA through their Medicare Advantage Program. Memberships will be month to month with no contracts.

The city council and YMCA will have to agree to a final master plan for the center.

If that is done, bids will eventually go out for the construction of the recreational center.

At that time, a rough estimate would be revealed of when the center would be complete and operational.