OLD TOWN, Maine — Piscataquis Regional YMCA members protested outside the Old Town/Orono YMCA Wednesday evening, rallying to get the Y reopened.
Earlier this month, the Piscataquis Regional YMCA in Dover-Foxcroft announced it would permanently close on Nov. 1, citing declining revenue and rising costs.
The Old Town-Orono YMCA Board of Directors, which manages the Piscataquis branch, made the decision to close the facility.
In response, Piscataquis YMCA members are calling for the board to transfer control of the facility to a new local group, the Piscataquis Area Community Center.
This group, which is in the process of becoming a nonprofit, is seeking to reopen the space as a community center to continue the programs and services members rely on.
"They should give it back to the people of Piscataquis County," longtime YMCA member Tony Zambrano said. "It's the right thing to do."
Community members expressed their hope that a deal can be reached to keep the center open, emphasizing the facility's importance.
"We enjoyed going," member Liz Howley said. "We still hope to go back to it, so fingers crossed."
In a statement, the Old Town-Orono YMCA Board said it "would like to announce that they have entered into an exclusive discussion with the Piscataquis Area Community Center to work towards a mutual and beneficial solution for all communities involved."
It's welcome news to Piscataquis Y members hoping for the return of the Y's important services, like childcare. The Y offers before and after-school programs.
For member Kayla Maioriello, they make a big difference.
"The Y is important to our family because we do have autistic children," Maioriello said. "We noticed a huge difference in their attitudes and their ability to stay in school happily and behave the right way."
The facility's pool, the only one in Piscataquis County that offers swim classes, is another resource members are eager to save.
Howley said she joined the Y to get healthy again, and the pool has been an important part of that.
"I have really bad arthritis, so being in the water and doing exercises there helps you," she said.
Zambrano, a member since the Y's opening in 1988, said the Y has fostered a strong sense of community.
"The best thing about the Y is the family style," he said. "The individuals that go there are really special people, they care about each other."
As the date of its closure nears, members remain hopeful that the facility will be able to reopen as the Piscataquis Area Community Center.
"Just support the Y as much as you can," fifth grader Trent Stewart said. "Just keep fighting."
Leaders of the Piscataquis Area Community Center plan to continue discussions with the Old Town-Orono YMCA Board over the next two weeks to finalize a plan.