For over a year, members and staff at the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA in St. Petersburg have experienced repeated air-conditioning failures that have created unsafe and unhealthy conditions inside the facility.

This is not a temporary inconvenience. It is an ongoing safety issue that affects members, staff, seniors, and children every day.

When the air conditioning fails:

• Group exercise rooms become dangerously hot
• Floors become slippery from excessive heat, increasing fall risk
• Mirrors fog due to heat and humidity
• Members with vulnerable immune systems and health conditions face increased risk
• Older adults are exposed to unsafe temperatures
• Children in the childcare center must remain in heated spaces
• YMCA staff are required to work entire shifts in these conditions
• The heat creates a perfect breeding environment for germs and illness to spread

These conditions raise serious concerns about member safety, workplace safety, and facility maintenance.

Long-time members have reported that this issue has occurred repeatedly for years, with only temporary repairs that fail again and again. Many of us have personally witnessed the pattern of breakdowns followed by short-term fixes instead of lasting solutions.

At the same time:

• Membership fees have increased
• The organization sold 4.5 acres of adjacent land for a reported $12 million in 2025
• Members continue paying full price for a facility that is not being maintained to safe standards

The YMCA is meant to be a place that promotes health, wellness, and community. Right now, this facility does not meet that standard. This petition is not about attacking the YMCA. It's about protecting the community that relies on this center.

We believe members deserve:

✔ A reliable air conditioning system
✔ Safe exercise conditions
✔ Healthy environments for children
✔ Safe working conditions for staff
✔ Transparent communication about repairs
✔ Permanent solutions — not temporary fixes

Many individuals have complained in the past, but the problem continues.

One voice can be ignored.
Hundreds of voices cannot.

By signing this petition, you are asking the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg to:

• Provide a clear timeline for permanent HVAC repairs
• Ensure safe temperatures in all activity areas
• Address floor safety hazards caused by heat and moisture
• Communicate openly with members and staff about solutions
• Prioritize safety and wellness over temporary fixes

The YMCA belongs to the community. Together, we can make sure it remains a safe and healthy place for everyone.

Please sign and share this petition so our voices are heard.

Thank You!

2026 HVAC Malfunction Dates.

• February 2, 2026 - March 3, 2026
• March 23, 2026 -