here https://www.ywcampls.org/contact_us/
Regarding the new parking fees at the Midtown YWCA.
I read your communication about the new parking fees at the Midtown YWCA.
So many non-members have been parking in the Y's lot that you need to put
in controls to keep the lot available for members. In order to keep out the
Blue Line commuters and South High students and weekend sports parents
there will be electronic gates where members and guests can pay to park.
Low income households will receive subsidies to help defray the cost.
I understand the problem. We have been members since the facility opened
and we know the pain of trying to find a spot at 5 or 6pm, the frustration
of giving up and heading out to find a street spot, the dismay of salty
slush saturating our sneakers as we walk through snow and ice to get inside
for our workout.
We applaud you finally taking effective action to keep out the cheaters.
But making Y members pay to park in a lot that's been too crowded for years
feels like a slap in the face.
By all means, please put in gates. But give members fobs or tokens to let
us through the gate. Making members pay to park at the Y is the wrong
solution to a longstanding problem.
Frankly, our family could afford to pay to park. But when we consider that
the cost of parking will be more than the Health Partners $20 discount for
working out 12 times a month we may start to consider other options for
exercise, yoga classes, and workout equipment.
YWCA management should have dealt with this years ago. Take the steps you
should have taken from the beginning, but don't penalize members for your
unwillingness to solve the problem when it started.
Steve Young-Burns