Dozens of West St. Paul residents — and others from neighboring communities — are urging the Dakota County suburb to build a community center on a 9-acre site once occupied by the YMCA.
The residents, many of them senior citizens, lamented the loss of the Y, which closed in 2019 after occupying the same building for decades. Since then, there's been no place to gather to exercise or have coffee, they said, and youth have nowhere to hang out, either.
"I really, really hope that this is the start of a plan for something to happen," West St. Paul resident Josie O'Connor told city leaders at a meeting earlier this week.
Resident Kelly Kratzke said she wants city officials to consider building it on the parcel along Thompson Avenue east of Robert Street "because I don't know where else it would go."
In August, the YMCA announced that a makeshift Y location in Inver Grove Heights would shut down in late October; it closes Friday. YMCA members can go to the Eagan location instead, an email from the nonprofit suggested.
The Y continues to look for partnerships that will "expand its mission" — including in northern Dakota County, said Mike Lavin, YMCA of the North's vice president of operations.
West St. Paul is already pursuing a community center feasibility study at residents' suggestion as part of its parks planning process.
This group, however, hopes Mendota Heights, South St. Paul and West St. Paul can work together on plans, along with other partners.