An estimated $70,000 damage caused by vandals at Camp Roger has raised serious questions about the future of the YMCA facility, located about 15 miles east of Kamas in the Uintas.
But Chandler St. John, a recently appointed YMCA Board member now in charge of the camp facility; board chairman Kay L. Anderson and other officials are still hopeful that repairs can be made to some 30 damaged buildings that are owned by the YMCA and located on U.S. Forest Service property.The camp, which was closed April 30, 1991, because of heavy debt and other problems facing the YMCA, operated under a special use permit from the Forest Service.
Anderson, a Salt Lake public accountant who has been YMCA board chairman for about a month, said this week that he and other board officials have had extensive discussions with Forest Service officials regarding the permit and other matters. He said they are working closely with the Forest Service regarding continued use of the camp property.
He said the YMCA's debt "has been substantially reduced. The YMCA's building (which was opened about 29 years ago at 735 E. 200 South) has been turned over to the banks and we are now trying to move the YMCA forward, using the asset of Camp Roger." Anderson said the YMCA is anxious to provide opportunities for youths in the community.
St. John, formerly supervisor of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, "estimated that the cost of upgrading the facilities at Camp Roger and repairing damage caused by the vandals will probably total close to $250,000."
The camp, which operated for many years, served disadvantaged, handicapped and other children.
St. John said he is not sure when damage caused by vandals was discovered.
"I think it was discovered by a deputy sheriff and reported to the Forest Service. (Vandals) busted out doors on almost every building. There's a lot of glass breakage. Toilets have been smashed. Light fixtures and a television set have been broken. Things have been thrown around and torn up inside the buildings. They did not cut up the furniture, but it has been tossed around," St. John said Tuesday.
St. John said that he is not aware of any event or other activities to raise funds for the camp, but "I think something might be announced shortly."
A group of board members, including St. John, Anderson, board vice chairman Andy Buffmire, board secretary Kirk Wessel, YMCA executive director Bill McCreary and Melissa Blackwell, Kamas District ranger, visited the camp three days ago.
St. John said individuals or groups wanting to assist the YMCA in its efforts to restore Camp Roger should contact him at 278-2579. He said cash donations should be sent to OCM (Organizational Consultants to Management), Attention Kirk Wessel, 39 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City UT 84111. Anderson told the Deseret News that individuals wishing to assist the YMCA may also call him at his business phone, 533-0211.
Anderson said, "We're still hoping to open the camp and to make the (necessary) repairs. There are many ways (the YMCA) could be helped - money and materials to make the repairs and donated labor to help us clean up and refurbish (the area) . . . all the things that go into restoring a place that has been damaged quite heavily. We are in the process of organizing so that we can solicit the needed help to refurbish the camp and put it back into working order. We would like to do it in a very nice way so that it blends in with the environment and so that it provides an appropriate opportunity for those" served by the YMCA.
St. John said he doesn't believe the camp could possibly be opened before 1993.