Orangeburg County's planned $9 million aquatic complex won't cost taxpayers any money for its day-to-day operations, unless they decide to visit.

While a final agreement has yet to be worked out, county officials expect to turn operation of the complex over to the Columbia YMCA. The YMCA then would charge people to use it, based in part on their ability to pay.

Columbia YMCA CEO Bryan Madden said, "Our board hasn't signed any written agreement but if it works like a traditional YMCA, we would sell memberships. ...

"We opened a brand-new branch location in 2007 in northeast Columbia that essentially has the same amenities that are planned for the Orangeburg facility with the exception of the water park," he said. "That YMCA employs over 100 people with 10,000 members."

Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark says that the fees the YMCA charges at the aquatic center and water park will be determined by both parties.

"Most of the facilities we've studied in planning this do charge some nominal fees for instruction and programs," Clark said. "A fee schedule is still being developed right now, but under any scenario there would be a discounted fee for country residents to use the facility.

"However, there will be no tax millage from the county for operation and maintenance."

In Columbia, the average cost of membership is a one-time fee of $50, plus a monthly fee ranging from $32 for young adults to $74 for families. The YMCA has scholarships available to reduce or completely cover costs for those who cannot afford regular membership dues, officials say.

"We will offer scholarship dollars in Orangeburg just like any other location we have," Madden said. "If people can't afford it, we will still get as many folks into membership as possible. We always raise funds for scholarships. Raising operational dollars is what we do well.

"Orangeburg County has been far-thinking in planning this facility. It might end up being the nicest one of the branch locations we operate."

Madden said the Columbia YMCA currently has a $1.7 million budget for annual operations of the northeast Columbia location, suggesting the Orangeburg facility might require a similar budget.

Orangeburg County is still negotiating an agreement with the Columbia YMCA. Orangeburg County Council will have to approve any final agreement.

"We are still working through the terms of the agreement," Clark said. "Right now there are no issues to be worked through. We are just taking the verbal agreement and reducing it to writing that will cover the duties and obligations for each party to make it binding. The final written agreement will be given to both governing boards for approval. When the agreement is finalized, we plan to go forward with it, probably in the next 30-60 days."

Clark said, "The advantage to the YMCA is that they could expand their programming into Orangeburg and bring to the table their experience in operating and managing such facilities."

He said the county has worked two specific requirements into the agreement.

"The county insists that two programs be offered at the new aquatic center apart from those offered at a typical YMCA," Clark said. "We have inserted language that would include in the definition of programming a specific emphasis for the senior population. Since the center will be adjacent to the Council on Aging, it's an excellent opportunity to do a senior fitness program that can include water walking, aerobics and other age-specific opportunities.

"In addition, we want to include a swimming education program for everyone, but especially for youngsters," he said. "Rarely a year goes by without a drowning accident occurring here because the victim didn't know how to swim. This would help tremendously because facilities to learn swimming are few and far between here."

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T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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