QUINCY, ILL. -- Membership at the Quincy YMCA hit record highs this year with 8,200 members.

Now the non-profit is taking steps to improve its facilities. Executive Director Mark Spiegelhoff says the Y has invested two million dollars in renovations, repairs and equipment in recent years.One example is this cycling room, which used to be a youth sports equipment room.

But space is problem. That's why the YMCA is evaluating member and community needs.

Any possible expansion would have to be to the North, since the current facility is landlocked with parking areas on three sides. But one of the baseball fields located there now would be swallowed up in any potential project.

With that in mind the YMCA is seeking a long-term lease or free rent agreement from the Quincy School District, guaranteeing the organization could use these playing fields across Maine Street, between Quincy High and Baldwin when they're not in use by the school district.

Spiegelhoff says this potential partnership is just a preliminary step.

"It's an important piece in our organization in terms of continuing to meet youth summer development needs that happen in the baseball program so we can take the next step in terms of looking forward to what spaces and facilities we need to meet future needs of the members and the community," said Spiegelhoff.

Right now there is no expansion in the works, although it's been discussed.  Finding a replacement field is just the first step.

The Quincy Public School Board will take up the issue at its meeting this week. Superintendent Lonny Lemon says the school district won't get any revenue from the lease. He says it would just be a good way to help the community.

If approved the Youth Baseball program could begin to transition to school fields this spring.