(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council, Vision Atlantic representatives, and City Attorney John Danos discussed Vision Atlantic’s funding request of $2.5 million for the YMCA expansion. On February 5, Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman formally asked the council for $6.7 million, covering 38% of the $16.5 million total cost, starting with the initial $2.5 million in the 2026 budget. The remaining $4.2 million will be addressed later. Bateman says the only request they have now is the $2.5 million. Atlantic City Councilman Jim Behrens voiced his concerns about allocating the $4.2 million. However, Bateman set the record straight, stating Vision Atlantic is not asking for the $4.2 million.
On February 11, the council appeared ready to come to a consensus on the $2.5 million contribution using Local Option Sales Tax Dollars. In the council packet, Atlantic City Administrator John Lund noted that reallocating funds wouldn’t alter commitments to other organizations or staff levels. However, the council pulled the vote from the agenda. Danos, appearing in front of the city council via conference call on Wednesday, provided the council with this explanation on the initial $2.5 million.
The Charles E. Lakin Foundation has pledged $8.6 million toward the childcare center and YMCA expansion. Vision Atlantic must raise 80 percent of the funds to receive the grant. Councilmember Elaine Otte stated the city needs to plan to avoid budget issues in the future.
Bateman understands that finances are the hard part, and over the next three to four years, they need to work together to find solutions for accomplishing this.
Thanks to significant financial backing from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and support from local donors, $22.9 million of the $30 million fundraising goal has been achieved in just 14 months. Alongside the Lakin Foundation’s $8.6 million grant, Vision Atlantic has secured an additional $23 million from the Foundation, which will serve as a line of credit to assist in constructing 144 mixed-unit housing developments of homes in the Camblin Hills Housing Development. Each year, as the funds are repaid, the Foundation plans to donate up to 5% of the interest repayments back to Vision Atlantic, supporting the operation of the child development center. It’s worth noting that this $23 million is separate from Vision Atlantic’s $30 million fundraising goal. Dan Haynes, Executive Director of the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, pointed out the money raised privately for this project.
It appears the council will conduct a formal vote at one of the two meetings in April. However, nothing is set in stone.
