‘Heartbroken’ + ‘insulted’: Ballantyne blasts Morrison YMCA sale in south Charlotte
Many Ballantyne area residents are not pleased at all about the $42.5 million sale and pending closure of their favorite Morrison Family YMCA branch to a Charlotte church, which is relocating there.
A number of residents and Morrison members jumped on social media Wednesday after the YMCA of Greater Charlotte disclosed its decision to sell the Bryant Farms Road site to Moments of Hope Church. The non-denominational evangelical Christian church will take over the space and the Morrison branch will be closed when the deal is finalized, likely next summer.
The surprise YMCA announcement had some 200 comments between the Morrison Family’s YMCA Facebook page, and Instagram. Here’s what some people had to say.
“What an utter disappointment and quite frankly an insult,” Facebook user Jamie Cooke posted. “This facility is run by an amazing staff, and now where do they turn? We are in this facility nearly every day of the week and are absolutely appalled by the fact any sane person could arrive at this decision.”
“As a Morrison YMCA employee, and as a mom who came to Charlotte without the family and village I had back home in West Virginia, I am heartbroken,” wrote Alexandria Frazier on Facebook.
Frazier added that it was a second home. “For me, it was a place that helped me rediscover who I was outside of motherhood,” she said. “It gave me friendships, purpose, and a sense of grounding in a city that once felt so far from everything familiar.”
Instagram user Katie Jordan expressed similar feelings with a sad crying emoji.
“This is incredibly sad and disappointing! My son and I have practically lived at this Y (between gym, camps, Forest Hill church, pool, and childcare),” she said. “It’s convenient and my only option. I will not be keeping our membership after this next year because all other locations are not convenient for my family.”
There even was a petition created Wednesday on Change.org to “Save the Morrison Family YMCA” by an organizer named “Ballantyne Resident.”
For decades, the Morrison YMCA has been far more than a gym,” the petition stated. “It has been a cornerstone of the Ballantyne community since the early years of the area’s development.” By late Wednesday night, it had over 1,000 signatures.
Charlotte YMCA responds to backlash
YMCA officials said they understand the relationships and importance of the Morrison facility, which opened about 25 years ago.
“We knew this news would be difficult for many of our members, and we’ve seen the disappointment and sadness being shared,” Sue Glass, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, told The Charlotte Observer in a statement. “Morrison has been more than a place to work out, it has been a community where friendships were formed, families gathered and people supported one another through every season of life. We understand why this decision feels deeply personal.
But the YMCA leadership made the decision with a long-term lens.
“This decision was not made lightly,”Glass said. “We believe taking this bold step is necessary to ensure we can continue fulfilling our mission and serving our community for years to come.”
YMCA officials said they accepted an unexpected offer to sell the Morrison branch to accelerate reinvestment priorities of their $100 million strategic plan that rolled out last year. The plan includes updating and modernizing its facilities, several of which have not seen capital improvements in nearly 20 years.
The Morrison facility, which is nearly 25 years old, will remain open for now, with full programming. And the YMCA will help members transition to nearby locations
That’s little consolation for some Morrison members.
“A giant blow to the community,” Instagram user Mackenna Hargis said. “The opportunities offered to the adults and children will never be replaced. I drive 40 minutes (three to four time a week), past two other Ys to come here bc Morrison is unmatched in childcare and workout space.”
‘Sad, disappointed and angry’ over the sale of Morrison YMCA
While many expressed sadness, others directed their anger toward an apparent the lack of communication.
“I can’t tell you how sad, disappointed and angry this makes me,” Instagram user James Neubauer wrote. “I have volunteered at and visited this YMCA with my entire family for the last 15 years and for a decision like this to have already been made without having an open dialogue with the members and volunteers is unbelievable.”
The YMCA is committed to supporting its members and staff impacted by the pending closure during the transition with updates and resources, Glass said.
Meanwhile, some questioned the church’s involvement in the process. “Aren’t there already enough churches and supermarkets in the area?” Instagram user 84yana.yana posted. “We need more community centers, affordable camps, daycare options, etc.”
