QUOTE(UTBMC @ Feb 6 2011, 10:24 AM)
I think I agree with you Ss’r…Yes the city/parks identified its issues and had its MP to address the issues within the WP Master Plan, and yes the plan did not include the YMCA whatsoever. I also think we are tossing more fruit salad here – two separate issues all together - WP MP vs. city helping out the Y.
The park department master plan was compiled from a survey that had 18 pre-determined ideas. It was completed by 108 people, 74 of of them were actual Michigan City residents. It was not looking for ideas it was telling us about theirs. What it does not represent is the fact that every single structured activity by the parks dept. between route 12 and route 20 has been removed, gone.
Michigan City the only lake front community on the great lakes with a dwindling population. We do have some problems. The top five things people look for when relocating are:
1. Schools (MCAS are in a bit of a mess, but I have a high hope the new admin. is on the right track)
2. Entertainment (dinning, theater, art and things of that nature. MC is making progress in this area)
3. Family activities (little league, recreation centers, YMCA, skate parks, swimming pools, structured activities in the actual neighborhoods) we fail bad in this area.
4. Churches (this is an area that we may acually have an over abundace of)
5. coming in at number 5. is Jobs (people are willing to travel to a job if the community have addressed 1-4 with smart planning. There is a message board that tells folks that have been transfered to Michigan City for their job, to look for housing in Chesterton or New Buffalo. The central location for a community center park office is a huge step in changing that. Now is the time to reverse 35 years of shrinking the population.)
We need to invest in the community not develop the Asset of the Lake front, it is an asset because of its natural beauty not its buildings. There is no need for a lake side office period.