County lawmakers are scheduled to vote to move ahead to begin upgrading Jamestown Community College’s athletic department, specifically the athletic fields, with plans for the YMCA to join them still intact.

On Wednesday, the Chautauqua County Legislature will vote on a resolution which would request inclusion in SUNY’s Capital Request for the 2026-2027 executive budget for Phase I of the JCC Wellness Complex, with a total cost of $12,069,538.

Of that amount, the state would pay 50%, while the county and JCC are responsible for 25% of the cost each. JCC’s portion will come through private donation and donor support.

The legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee members met with JCC President Daniel DeMarte, JCC Interim Executive Director of Administrative Services Kathleen Dennison, and YMCA Board of Directors President George Panebianco to discuss the project.

About a year ago, the legislature was presented the business plan to have an additional 70,000 square feet added to the college’s physical education complex. Attached to the new building would be space for the YMCA.

The wellness center would be called the “Jay,” representing both the Jamestown YMCA and the Jayhawk.

The entire project is expected to cost around $41 million, which would be split between the college and the YMCA.

The YMCA has stated that it is taking them longer to raise the needed funds for their portion.

While the YMCA needs more time, JCC has proposed to start Phase I by upgrading its athletic fields.

The design work of the project is expected to cost the county $195,000. The legislature will vote to take that money out now from its reserves.

Panebianco said the YMCA supports starting Phase I of the project now, saying he believes it will help them generate excitement.

“The way I describe it is it’s a matter of dominoes tipping. Once you get the first domino to tip, the next one will tip, the next one will tip, and the next one will tip,” he said.

Panebianco said he believes that once the architectural work gets done and the athletic field work begins, it will show the funders that this is a serious project.

Panebianco said the YMCA is working with a group called “Gro” which helps design and build YMCAs across the nation.

“They have 23 current projects in New York state alone,” he said.

DeMarte said he would like to start the soccer and turf fields now.

He noted that the state has agreed to the phased in approach.

“By starting with the fields, independent of the buildings, our thinking is that will give us the time we need before we get into the construction side of the building – both the new space and our renovations,” DeMarte explained.

JCC is expected to return to the county for another vote once it’s known what the final cost will be for the county’s portion for phase I.

JCC would then return to the county for the plans for Phase II, presumably with a portion for the YMCA, which that organization will pay for.

Panebianco said the YMCA’s goal is to join JCC with its Phase II plans.

“Just to be clear, the two parties are absolutely committed to being married together,” he said.