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YMCA construction resumes after environmental scare
By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer
TOWN 'N COUNTRY -- After months of wrangling with environmental officials, the Town 'N Country YMCA has been given the go-ahead to resume construction. "We were very frustrated and glad it's over," said Dave Hollowell, vice president of construction for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. "It's one of those things that when we open the doors all will be forgotten. Everyone will be happy." The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) halted work at the site about 8 months ago after workers unearthed corrugated metal and old tires environmental officials feared may have combined to create potentially explosive methane gas. Methane is created by the decomposition of trash and debris. As a result, the building will be vented for the gas and for the first year will be monitored to make sure there are no problems, said Ron Cope, general manager of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission's solid waste section. The 21,000-square-foot facility, going up on Waters Avenue west of Sheldon Road, will open in March and serve residents of Citrus Park, Countryway, Town 'N County and Westchase. While there was little fear the soil or water on the site was contaminated, work was delayed several months as YMCA and EPC officials debated how best to dispose of the contaminated materials. Cope said the remaining solid waste will be excavated and whatever cannot be processed through mechanical screening will be disposed of at an appropriate facility. Remaining material will be put under the parking lot. "Maybe it was a little bit of overkill," Cope acknowledged. But "to the extent that we can ensure the safety of kids and people using the facility, we've done it." With exception to the site work, the project is finished. "The foundation is down, walls are up, the roof's on and the air-conditioner," Hollowell said. "But nothing's been done in terms of outside the building." Hollowell said work will start next week on utilities, the parking lot and retention pond. The $4-million YMCA will include a gym, aerobic area, fitness youth activity area for after-school care, nursery, climbing wall and outdoor swimming pool. "We want to do what's right for that property and that community," Hollowell said. -- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 269-5308 or ripley@sptimes.com.
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