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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend July 20, 2006 YMCA could expand to Howard estate By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The Wes Howard property at the corner of Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive might house a planned YMCA expansion. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) A new YMCA might be the centerpiece of a youth sports complex planned for property in west Medford donated by the late millionaire miser Wes Howard. Whether the Rogue Valley Family YMCA would close its facility on West Sixth Street is unclear. "It's not so much a moving but there's definitely an interest in growth and expansion," said Brad Russell, YMCA's new director. He said there are no current plans to shut down the existing facility, which has plenty of life left in it. "It would seem pretty silly — that pool was built just 10 years ago," he said. Wes Howard, who died in March 2003 at age 87, lived in an 1890s, two-story Victorian farmhouse on 68 acres on the corner of Ross Lane and Rossanley Drive. Up until his death, he cooked on an early-1900s woodstove and relied on an outhouse because he had no indoor plumbing. There have been reports of Howard chasing children off his property at gunpoint. People who knew him said they were doubly surprised to learn not only that his entire estate was valued in the millions, but that before he died he had created a trust and donated all his possessions to create a park to benefit youth. Dennis Hoffbuhr, board member of Wes Howard's memorial trust, said the board has been researching the possibilities for three years. "The Howard memorial trust has been working toward plans to develop the property as a sports park and those plans are not complete yet, but plan to be in September," Hoffbuhr said, adding that in addition to housing the YMCA, it will be "a true sports park with multiple fields, incorporating baseball, softball and soccer." Hoffbuhr said the directive in Howard's will was to benefit youth but was not limited to a sports park. He said most of what Howard owned was in real estate. "There is some cash but not enough to develop the entire sports park," he said. The memorial board is looking at ways to raise money in order to build a sports park in phases, he said. State Rep. Sal Esquivel of Medford, also a member of the memorial trust, was uncertain when construction of the new YMCA might begin. He said he was "not at liberty" to talk about the details of development. "We're still working on what we'll come forward with in the plan," he said, adding that there will be a public announcement in the near future. Members of the YMCA board of directors declined to discuss their plans. "We may have exciting future plans that we'd like to announce at a future date, but we have nothing specific at this time," said John Mytinger, chairman of the YMCA board. Rob Scott, planning director for the city of Medford, said the Wes Howard property is within the urban growth boundary but has not been annexed. He said no one has approached city planners about development, but it would require annexation if water and other city services were desired. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Related Stories: 07-24-2003 - Hermit�s treasure 07-27-2003 - Bidding on her past 07-30-2003 - Not one: two sports parks 08-09-2003 - Donation of land for parksa �true gift from the heart� 02-10-2005 - Howard�s final wish yet to be realized 07-20-2006 - YMCA could expand to Howard estate 07-20-2006 - Design details emerge for Howard's land Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com