After expressing disappointment that the facility will not end up on the township's preferred site of the LeisurePlex, aldermen referred the request for $840,000 back to staff to determine if the township's coffers can drum up the necessary funds.

"Obviously this is a lot of money for West Lincoln," said Ald. Mike Rehner. "It's a small community (and) the situation down here is different than the big city. We're in a recession and we don't know how that will affect us down the road. This is not a comfortable time."

In his opinion, a new YMCA facility would be looked at as a luxury at a time when rural roads need heightened attention.

"What's more important?" he asked. "You need to prioritize."

Ald. John Glazier told YMCA CEO Stephen Butz that the "three or four dozen constituents" he has talked to believe West Lincoln needs the facility above the escarpment and would "sooner take the money for recreation."

"I have to support my constituents," he said. "I cannot support it."

Mayor Katie Trombetta told aldermen that a decision should not be made so quickly and encouraged aldermen to visit the Welland YMCA before making up their minds.

"Sometimes you need to look beyond the 'Why Not In My Backyard' (factor)," she said. "Alone, we could not take the financial burden. To say the facility is not needed is not factual."

Ald. Norm Johnson told council that he supports the project vigorously.

"Even if it were built right here in Smithville, the majority of the people would still have to travel a long ways," he said. "We have to think of West Niagara as a community, not just West Lincoln."

"This is a great opportunity, in my opinion," he said. "I hope we have a good hard look at it."

A proposed YMCA site has been identified in the area of Bartlett Ave, near the Grimsby-Lincoln border. Grimsby has committed to chipping in $3-million while Lincoln is looking to fund $2.1-million of the $46-million project.

Rehner reminded council that West Lincoln has already given $1.5-million to Grimsby to support West Lincoln Memorial Hospital. "I'm concerned about that," he said.

Ald. Sue-Ellen Merritt admitted she has not made up her mind, but told Butz that for rural West Lincoln residents, it would be just as easy to travel to the YMCA in Welland or Hamilton, as it would be to access the Grimsby-Lincoln location.

"That's my struggle," she said, before adding that she was "not happy" that Grimsby was chosen as the preferred site.

The lure of an indoor pool supported by all three communities is alluring, said Ald. Mary Dinga. But she also spoke of concerns that trips into Grimsby to visit the YMCA would take local dollars out of West Lincoln.

Ald. Doug Joyner said if the money could be funded over a period longer than four years, that might make more economic sense for the township.

Butz said he would be "delighted to discuss the options."

"We're confident that there's lots of interest out there," he added. "If we talk about this from an economic standpoint, we are missing the point. The YMCA is needed more than ever during times like these. It's about raising strong children and families."

Greg Shupe, chair of the YMCA's board of directors, told council that his message was simple. "We're in," he said. "We are committed to West Niagara."