by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – The Mason City YMCA, in a letter dated September 12, 2012, only addressed to YMCA members, explained their actions in dealing with 3 men who were arrested for a “sex offense” at the Mason City YMCA and their policies moving forward.
The information was not sent to NIT from the Y, as Mason City YMCA Director Liz Conley had indicated it would be. NIT obtained a copy from an NIT reader and YMCA member.
At the same time, while explaining the “sex offense” and its fallout at the YMCA, Conley and YMCA Board President Shelly Schmit anannounced membership fee increases. To soften the blow, they included two “guest passes” with their letter. The new rates, which can be seen in the letter, below, take affect October 1, 2012.
In the letter explaining how the YMCA dealt with the “sex offense,” the YMCA assured its members that “no youth were involved in the recent incidents.” They also claim that “the three individuals involved were terminated from the Y and reported to the Mason City Police.”
The letter then asks for “self-discretion” whil ein saunas, showers and steam rooms and to “present themselves modestly around others” and other “locker room etiquette.”
An arraignment date was set on last Friday by Judge Greg Rosenbladt for the three men that were arrested after the alleged “sex offense” incident at the Mason City YMCA in July.
Read below:
Why raise rated @ the YMCA,due to the recent incident involving the sex incidents,bascially. Fine those Involved in the scenarios,Maximum $$$ this will,rectify an teach the those whom violate the sex rules, the consequence’s are. Also balance the rates more fairly, young people pay more, older. ,disabled receive breaks.
This is a place of rehablation,not an mating Facility.
Where is the equality or Professionalism at, hidden rocking chairing it. Management should always move forward, not stay stagnate or hidden.
I worked at a local hotel as a front desk manager and this was years ago, many guest told me the Mason City YMCA had some of the highest price guest passes and that memberships in general were higher than a lot of other places. I was going to take my grand kids for swimming lessons until I found out the cost it was crazy. I taught them myself.
They were already to expensive. Just another reaso to walk and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, less chance of seeing the perverts enjoying themselves.
I guess the Y is happy with the way things are operating, but I feel they will find many are not.
Still haven’t heard what Mercy thinks about all this.
I really find it real interesting that Liz would put out a letter about the “incident” and then have the gaul to raise the rates. I’m sure glad I left the Y and joined Anytime Fitness. Rates are cheaper, better security and open 24 hours. An old saying “a fool and his money soon do part” Liz you need a wake up call.
Also, the letter says the new rates are effective October 2011.
No thanks. Just like how the water department raised our rates when we had the flood & had no running water because they are located in a flood area. Bad timing, bad prices, bad activities. I’ll stick to walking dogs at the shelter or walking in my neighborhood. Both free & haven’t seen a naked man yet, hahahahaaa!
While I don’t agree with their timing or how they allowed this to take place in their locker rooms, I don’t find the raising of rates by $1 or $2 a huge issue. I am not a member of the Y because I prefer the outdoors, free exercise, and the lack of the stuffy attitudes of those who have Y memberships. Not to mention the lack of people doing naked jumping jacks where I exercise is sort of an added bonus.