Users of two recreation centers no longer have to join YMCA

Concerns about the separation of church and state have led to changes in the way a Christian organization runs two city-owned recreational centers in northwest Las Vegas.

Under an agreement reached last month between Las Vegas and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, community members no longer are required to join the YMCA before using the two centers. The accord requires the removal of all religious references from the facilities.

ACLU lawyers contend the Young Men's Christian Association has been running the centers in a manner that violates the U.S. Constitution, which precludes governmental action "respecting an establishment of religion," and the Nevada Constitution, which prohibits the use of public funds for sectarian purposes.

"Government activity cannot foster an excessive government entanglement with religion," ACLU attorney Maggie McLetchie said.

McLetchie said the ACLU has been negotiating with city officials since October 2007, when she sent City Attorney Brad Jerbic a letter notifying him that members of the community had expressed concern about the city's relationship with the YMCA.

"We are very pleased that we were able to come to resolution without expensive and difficult litigation," she said.

The YMCA operates two recreational centers for the city in northwest Las Vegas: the Centennial Hills Community Center at 6601 N. Buffalo Drive and the Durango Hills Community Center at 3521 N. Durango Drive. The city has leased the land at both locations from the Bureau of Land Management.

No one at the YMCA of Southern Nevada or the city attorney's office could be reached for comment.

The YMCA's stated mission "is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all."

According to the October 2007 letter by McLetchie, the YMCA was advertising its Christian mission in program brochures for both the Centennial Hills and Durango Hills locations, and both locations had displayed Bible quotes.

"They were running them just like any other 'Y,' and I think that's the problem," McLetchie said last week.

Photos taken at the Centennial Hills registration counter sometime before June 2008 show a sign with a Bible verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The agreement between the city and the ACLU requires the city to ensure that:

• All religious references are permanently removed from the centers.

• All money received by the YMCA from the city to administer the centers is segregated from other YMCA funds "and cannot be spent on furthering Christian/religious purposes."

• Community members may participate in programs at the centers without joining the YMCA.

• The following disclaimer language is prominently posted at the centers and displayed on all materials provided to the public by the centers:

"The City of Las Vegas Community Centers at Centennial Hills and Durango Hills are managed and provided to the citizens of Las Vegas for no other purpose than providing educational and recreational activities. The YMCA does not and will not promote or advertise any religion at these two leisure centers."

The Centennial Hills center has two outdoor pools, two indoor pools, two gymnasiums and a fitness studio. The Durango Hills center has a seasonal beach-entry pool, an indoor basketball court and a fitness center.

"The bottom line is that city tax dollars should not be spent to endorse religion or for religious purposes," McLetchie wrote in an e-mail to the Review-Journal. "The ACLU has no problem with the 'Y,' but the 'Y' is a religious organization and is running City rec centers in a way that violates the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions."

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.