Citizen Information

Northwest River Park - YMCA Summer Camp

Project Summary • June 2009

The City of Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department and the YMCA have formed a public/private partnership to develop summer camp facilities at Northwest River Park. The following information summarizes the key elements of the project.

Project Timeline

February 2007	Discussions for a summer camp at Northwest River Park begin between Parks and Recreation and YMCA staff.
March 28, 2008	The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board provided information regarding the summer camp proposal.
August 17 & 24, 2008	Request for bids advertised in the Virginian-Pilot.
September 9, 2008	Conceptual design of the project presented to City Council.
October 14, 2008	Public hearing held at City Council meeting to officially receive bids to develop the summer camp. The YMCA was the lone bidder.
December 9, 2008	City Council voted to approve the lease.
December 10, 2008	Lease signed by the City of Chesapeake.
February 11, 2009	Planning Commission continues the application to rezone acreage to May 13, 2009, to allow additional public input.
April 2, 2009	YMCA presents overall design to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Board unanimously endorses the day camp project.
April 9, 2009	Project presentation given to the Tidewater Horse Council.
April 29, 2009	A general information meeting held at the Hickory Middle School. City receives public comment sheets.
May 13, 2009	The Planning Commission recommends to deny the rezoning request with a 5-3 vote.
May 19, 2009	City Council approves rezoning for the day camp project.

Lease Agreement Summary

• YMCA to use five (5+/-) acres of land to construct recreational facilities for joint use by the City and the YMCA at Northwest River Park.

• Lease is for a period of 30 years (expires December 10, 2038), with one option to renew for an additional 10 year period, subject to mutual agreement of the City and YMCA.

• The YMCA is to design and construct the following facilities at its sole expense: outdoor swimming pool, pump house, bath house, office & assembly hall, outdoor amphitheater (350 seats), crafts building, outdoor sports pavilion, picnic shelters (12-16), ropes & initiative course, boat storage facilities, interior roads & entrance improvements, parking facilities, water and sewage disposal facilities, and all other appurtenant improvements and infrastructure needed to operate a day camp for children.

• The YMCA will demolish the existing picnic shelter, restroom/storage building, three-rail fence, electrical facilities and equestrian arena. The YMCA shall also construct a new equestrian arena for use, maintenance and operation by the City.

• The YMCA is to provide all recreational equipment associated with the use of the recreational facilities, other than the equestrian arena, at it sole expense. The equipment is to be used by the City as well as the YMCA.

• The YMCA is to begin construction of the recreational facilities within six months from the date the lease was approved by City Council (December 9, 2008).

• The City may choose, at its discretion, to terminate the Lease if the YMCA has failed to begin construction of the recreational facilities within 6 months of the date City Council approved the Lease (December 9, 2008) and within 90 days of the date of approval of the final site plan by the City.

• The YMCA may terminate the Lease within 6 months of the date of the effective date of the Lease if it reasonably determines, in its sole discretion, that the project is not feasible.

• The YMCA is responsible for obtaining all approvals needed to construct the recreational facilities and the final site plan.

• The YMCA is responsible for all maintenance and repair of the recreational facilities, other than the equestrian arena, and agrees to defend and indemnify the City against claims for damages relating to injury, death, or damage arising out of the improper design, construction, maintenance or its use of the recreation facilities and equipment.

• Use of the facilities constructed by the YMCA, other than the equestrian arena, shall be mutual according to the following schedule:
1. Outdoor swimming pool and related facilities:
YMCA use (Memorial Day-Labor Day)

YMCA summer camp 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (priority) on all week days

YMCA swim lessons 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (secondary) on all week days.

(May be conducted in a manner that does not disrupt the City's use and with prior City approval.)

City use (Memorial Day-Labor Day)

Weekends (priority)

Week days 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (priority)
2. Equestrian arena:
City has priority use at all times.

YMCA may use on a limited basis when not scheduled by the City.
3. All other recreational facilities constructed by the YMCA:
YMCA (Memorial Day-Labor Day)

YMCA summer camp 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on all week days (priority)

City use (Memorial Day-Labor Day)

After 6:00 p.m. all week days (priority)
Weekends (priority)

YMCA use (Labor Day-Memorial Day)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
of each week (priority)

City use (Labor Day-Memorial Day)

Friday – Sunday of each week (priority)

The City and the YMCA may request use of the other recreation facilities when they are not being used.
4. Rentals:
City may rent the recreational facilities to third-parties when not used by the YMCA and is entitled to keep all rental proceeds.
• Operational costs for the facilities, other than the equestrian arena, will be shared by the parties as follows:
  YMCA –  60% facilities
  City    –  40% facilities

• The City shall be responsible for 60% of the pool supply costs.

• The City and the YMCA shall be responsible for its own program costs and staffing needs. Funds to support this lease will be generated from the Northwest River Park’sfee-based revenue funds according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

• The YMCA will provide general liability and umbrella excess liability insurance for the recreational facilities and shall name the City as an additional insured.

For more information, contact:

Parks and Recreation Department
at (757) 382-6411.