THE SOUTH COUNTY YMCA HAS TAKEN ON THE LEE COUNTY BRANCH IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THEIR MISSION GOING. PUBLISHED REPORTS THIS WEEK SAY LEE COUNTY’S FACILITY HAS LOST MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT SOUTH COUNTY OFFICIALS THINK THEY CAN REVIVE IT WHICH WILL HELP THEIR CASH FLOW, WHICH HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DOWN ECONOMY. THE SOUTH COUNTY YMCA INCLUDES BOTH THE VENICE AND ENGLEWOOD FACILITIES, AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED MILLIONS FROM LOCAL FOUNDATIONS AND DONORS. THEY IN TURN GIVE BACK TO MORE THAN EIGHTY NOT-FOR-PROFITS IN THE AREA. THE VENICE Y IS ALSO ENTERING UNCHARTED WATERS IN AUGUST AS THEY OPEN A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CHARTER SCHOOL. REPORTS SAY THEY ALREADY HAVE MORE THAN 200 APPLICATIONS FOR 175 SEATS IN THE SCHOOL.
