A deal between the YMCA and the City of Meridian is being hailed as a win-win. The city is buying the Homecourt facility from the YMCA for $4 million, providing the city with much-needed indoor recreation space and giving the YMCA money for a new project.
Meridian has been working for years to find an indoor facility of its own.
“Meridian is growing as a city and with that growth comes demands for our sports programs, classes, camps and things like that,” said Meridian Parks and Recreation Director Steve Siddoway.
The city has been budgeting taxpayer dollars to put towards a facility to meet that demand and now those funds will be used for the purchase of Homecourt after today’s unanimous approval from the city council.
At around $82 a square foot, officials say it will be cheaper than building its own facility.
“Get four basketball courts instead of the three we might have built on our own. We get more potential classroom space so it is the right location for us,” Siddoway said.
It’s not just a win for the city but the YMCA as well. The $4 million will go towards their south Meridian facility near the corner of Amity and Eagle, a project they hope brings numerous community partners together under one roof.
“A full facility YMCA that will reach even more youth and families than we’re currently able to reach at Homecourt,” said Scott Curtis, Treasure Valley YMCA Senior Vice President.
The YMCA says Homecourt has more than 2,000 active members. Homecourt will remain a YMCA membership facility until the south Meridian location is opened, which is expected to happen next year.
“It will still be run as a YMCA. We’re leasing the space back from the city to operate it for our members and the community in general,” Curtis said.
Meridian will introduce new recreational opportunities at Homecourt later this fall.
