Interim director takes over Jefferson YMCA helm

PORT TOWNSEND — The local YMCA branch has hired an interim director to replace the retired Bill Kush, although she has indicated that she will be a candidate for the permanent position.

Jeni Little, who most recently served as a track coach for the Port Townsend School District, took the Jefferson County Family YMCA helm on Monday.

Little, 47, earns $14 an hour.

She said the YMCA board, of which she is a member, has agreed to employ her as interim director through the summer with the permanent position scheduled to be filled in September.

Currently, the most active YMCA activity is the summer day camp with about 30 kids out of 51 enrollees attending each day.

It is also offering youth programs in music, art, theater, cooking, gardening and carpentry on a fee basis.

Little said she did not expect the facility to switch over to a membership model any time in the near future.

Former school

She also does not expect the organization to move to a new facility anytime soon, saying that the former Mountain View Elementary School has plenty of room for the organization’s current needs.

This includes fitness programs for both children and adults.

Little said the YMCA receives around $112,000 in funding from Port Townsend city government, “which we turn into about $300,000 in programs through the use of course fees and volunteers.”

Little said she will have a better handle on the future direction of the local facility after attending the YMCA General Assembly in Salt Lake City next week.

“We are a work in progress,” she said.

The Jefferson County YMCA and swimming pool are located at Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

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