Springfield rec center sale bid called ‘win-win'

The financially troubled Edgar May Health and Recreation Center may be sold to the parent organization of Springfield Hospital.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110308/NEWS02/703089937/1003/NEWS02

Published March 8, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Springfield rec center sale bid called ‘win-win'

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — The financially troubled Edgar May Health and Recreation Center may be sold to the parent organization of Springfield Hospital.

Members of the Southern Vermont Health and Recreation Center are being asked to vote this Sunday on the proposed sale, which people associated with both organizations call a “win-win” solution to the recreation center's financial problems.

Christian Craig, the executive director of the Edgar May, as it now called, said that under the proposed sale, Springfield Medical Care Systems would take over the organization's debt of $1.9 million, although financial negotiations are still ongoing.

Both Craig and Glenn Cordner, chief executive officer of Springfield Medical Care Systems, said the center's mission of an affordable recreation center for the region would remain unchanged.

“We need to go to the members and get their blessing to pursue this,” said Cordner, referring to Sunday's meeting at the recreation center. Craig said 700 members were eligible to vote.

“The proposed transaction strengthens the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center's mission of providing the opportunities and resources necessary to live an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Craig.

He said the new relationship would create “efficiencies and opportunities” the center cannot achieve on its own. Talks of the purchase have been ongoing for more than a year, both sides said.

Craig said the sale would allow the center to have a more streamlined financial process, increased buying power, and a “more compelling” fundraising profile.

“The potential synergies of these two organizations are tremendous,” said Cordner. “It's something to celebrate hugely.”

Cordner said the name of the center would remain, an honor bestowed upon Edgar May, 81, a former Windsor County state senator and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who is credited with being the driving force behind the center.

“This will help ensure his vision will not be lost,” said Cordner. “This place wouldn't exist if it weren't for him.”

May couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Bob Flint, the executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corp., who serves on both the recreation center and hospital's boards, said the center is an important development tool for the town and region.

“People looking to move to Springfield want to see signs of life and that the community is vibrant. The center is proof that the town made a commitment to health,” said Flint, who said that his experience with “people from away” is that they are very impressed with the recreation center, which features a competition-sized pool, with plans for redeveloping the adjoining Springfield Foundry into additional recreation space.

The location of the center will be key in the redevelopment of the former Jones & Lamson Machine Tool Co., as well as the former Bryant Grinder Corp. building, he said.

The center, which was built with grants and donations, offers scholarships to needy area residents thanks to a $3 million endowment from the state of Vermont, which gave the town the money toward a community project as part of the town's agreement to host the state's newest maximum security prison.

In recent years, the center has had trouble paying its property taxes to the town of Springfield, and membership has lagged behind original projections.

Both Cordner and Craig said fundraising will be much easier with Springfield Medical Care Systems as owner since it is a stable financial organization.

Both men also said the proposed expansion of the center, which would cost between $7 million and $9 million, would probably come sooner because individual donors and foundations would endorse such a project under the proposed new ownership.

Cordner and Craig both described the center's finances as “fragile.”

“We are both dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Cordner, who added the proposed purchase would have no effect on the finances of Springfield Hospital.

“This deal will make us stronger,” said Craig.