St. Mary’s County Advances 15-Year Agreement With YMCA To Operate New Childcare Center

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County commissioners have approved a long-anticipated operating agreement with the YMCA to manage a new childcare center, formalizing a partnership that will run for up to 15 years.

During their Feb. 24 meeting, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County voted to approve the final agreement.

“I move to approve the final agreement with the YMCA for the operation of the childcare center and authorize the Commissioner President to sign all related documents,” the motion stated.

The proposal, presented by the Department of Recreation and Parks under the St. Mary’s County government, outlines a partnership with the YMCA of the Chesapeake to oversee daily operations, staffing, security and revenue sharing at the center, which is currently under construction.

Commissioners previously approved a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 16 allowing the YMCA to operate the facility. The agreement adopted this week details operations, maintenance responsibilities, reporting requirements, operating schedules and how revenue will be divided.

According to the agreement, the contract term consists of three five-year renewable periods, totaling 15 years. Renovations are expected to be completed in late April, with the facility scheduled to open in August 2026 at 41740 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown, previously, Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy.

Once the agreement is executed, the YMCA will apply for required licenses and begin recruiting staff.

The center’s final capacity has not been determined, but officials estimate it will serve about 100 children. While the childcare center will be open to the public, county employees will receive priority for available slots and placement on the waitlist.

By April 15, 2026, the county will provide the YMCA with a memo outlining the priority order for employee groups, including the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Services and St. Mary’s County Public Schools, with Recreation and Parks coordinating the effort alongside Human Resources and County Administration.

The agreement also addresses technology and security. The YMCA will install and manage information technology systems inside the building, including cameras, badge access, security systems and phones.

The contract requires sharing key data such as camera footage and mandates adherence to the county’s records retention policy.

To support those systems, the county will provide $20,000 to help cover IT, security and communication outfitting costs.

Financially, Recreation and Parks proposed a revenue-sharing model based on the facility’s gross receipts, a structure officials said accounts for high startup costs and the expectation that enrollment will grow over time.

In the first year, the county will receive 4% of gross receipts. Once enrollment reaches 90% of capacity, the county’s share will increase to 7.5%. When enrollment reaches 95%, the share will rise to 10% and remain at that level for the rest of the lease unless extended-care options are implemented.

If the YMCA expands to a 16-hour operating day, the revenue-sharing rate will decrease to 7.5%. If 24-hour care is offered, the rate will drop to 5.5%.

The agreement also allows flexibility for county programming. At the discretion of Recreation and Parks, up to 50% of the quarterly lease fee may be credited back to the department for use of YMCA facilities in the county, including basketball team practices, summer camp pool visits and lifeguard training.

With the final agreement approved, the partnership clears the way for the center’s anticipated opening later this year, expanding childcare access for county employees and the broader community.

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