LACEY – A proposal to bring a YMCA to Lacey Township is moving forward, with township officials citing growing community needs while residents raised concerns about cost, transparency and timing during a recent public meeting.
Mayor Steven Kennis confirmed the township is exploring the possibility of a YMCA facility. “We’re in discussion with the YMCA about a potential building and who would pay for the building,” Kennis said during a recent township committee meeting.
Although financial details are still being worked out, he said the township would likely fund construction.
Questions about the project surfaced after residents noticed survey activity on township-owned land near the water tower and Wawa.
Steve Bahrle, a Forked River resident, raised the issue during public comment. “Information came to me about some surveying going on in the same location that this committee wanted to put the $100 million municipal building in,” Bahrle said.
He also referenced earlier controversy tied to that proposal. “The committee promised to be more transparent about anything… something big like the YMCA or the municipal building,” he added.
Bahrle’s comments reflected broader concerns among residents about transparency and the potential financial impact of a large-scale project.
Officials said the work is preliminary and not tied to any finalized plan. “The purpose of the survey is any potential development that will occur on that property,” Kennis said.
Kennis further explained that the survey is a standard first step for any potential project, used to establish metes and bounds and determine elevations needed for drainage. He added that East Coast Engineering was hired as the township’s surveyor and that the property had not previously been surveyed.
Types Of Meetings
Township officials have outlined a multi-step process before any decision is made, which includes both smaller stakeholder discussions and broader public input.
In an interview, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said that an invite-only session with community leaders is part of the next phase. “We are doing a task force meeting of local officials and county official, people from social services, people from the hospital, people from the schools,” Laureigh said, adding that there are members of the community members included in the April 22 meeting.
An open public forum is expected to follow sometime in early summer. This will allow for a broader community discussion after the findings of a needs assessment are finalized.
Community Needs
Authorities say the YMCA proposal is rooted in months of research, including a community needs assessment and surveys conducted throughout 2025.
More than 1,800 responses were collected, representing thousands of residents, along with interviews conducted with local leaders across multiple sectors. The findings highlight increasing pressure on local families and services.
The surveys were voluntary and may not capture the full range of viewpoints across the township.
“The community faces growing concerns around youth wellbeing and a lack of safe, engaging, screen-free spaces,” the assessment found.
Mental health demand continues to outpace available resources, while economic strain is affecting residents across age groups. Survey data also identified social isolation, lack of youth programming and limited indoor recreation as key concerns.
“Households are increasingly struggling to meet basic needs like food and housing,” the report also noted.
Officials say the YMCA model could address many of those needs by offering a wide range of services under one roof, including year-round childcare, mental health support, camps, fitness programs and youth development initiatives. They also pointed to the organization’s broader role in strengthening communities, noting its track record of bringing people together through health and wellness programs for all ages.
A prior market study found strong interest in the concept, projecting that thousands of households could join a new facility depending on pricing and amenities.
Questions remain about affordability and how membership costs could affect access for residents, particularly those already facing rising expenses.
Officials stressed that no final decision has been made and the project remains in its early stages. “There’s been no agreements, nothing signed,” Laureigh said, emphasizing that the township is continuing to gather input before determining next steps.
