To the Editor:
The days of playing racquetball at the Damariscotta Y are numbered. As a feature of its new “Master Facility Plan,” the CLC YMCA has announced that the single fully usable racquetball court will not be available for play beyond an estimated two years.
Named in honor of Dwayne Plummer (Y director for 20 years), the court has been used by a group of 20 or more Y members since its construction in the 1970s. Does this decision seem in keeping with the usual outreach mission of Y facilities? No, it is more in the nature of a “Look for the Money” attitude of big business!
When does it make sense to abandon use of a built-to-specifications asset when a sustaining play program could be developed by an initiative undertaking to promote its growth? As described in the Y “plan” its goals are to rejuvenate facilities to promote healthy living for all.
It should be realized that since the Dwayne’s death, any semblance of a “racquetball program” has been shelved. There is no roster of players, no regular tournament scheduling, no effort to create an instruction program, no contact of local businesses to financially support teams, no effort to create a ladder of proficiency, no appointed Y racquetball director, and now, no scheduled court maintenance.
An easy assessment of the matter is to declare “no interest” rather than to ask why. The old expression of “throwing the baby out with the bath water” seems to be expressive of just what the Y board has planned to do.
What action can be taken at this time to divert the Y board and its director from their adoption of this abandonment plan? Maybe nothing can be successful in the face of the money seeking attitude, but numbers of letters expressing thoughts appear timely, and are suggested.
I favor Y expansion and updating, construction of the long sought pool, better locker facilities, an independent running track, and other mentioned programs, but abandonment of a healthy activity that has a current usable facility is a great disappointment. My hope is that the decision can be reconsidered and action taken to promote racquetball activity, rather than drive it to its grave.
