The Beaumont Metropolitan Y.M.C.A. says it has reached a formal agreement with a local church.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Beaumont has agreed to help keep the LL Melton branch afloat, according to the YMCA.

The agreement has Y.M.C.A. member Eric Brooks and his 4-year-old daughter Kendall extremely happy because the two spend five days a week playing at the Y.M.C.A.

Brooks says it is not just his kid who benefits from the facility, but lots of kids in the Pear Orchard neighborhood.

It gives them a chance to stay off the street and seek positive role models," said Brooks Wednesday afternoon. "It gives them various activities."

But the activities have not helped out membership according to Y.M.C.A. CEO and President Jeff Moore.

"The 40,000 square foot facility claims only 150 members,"said Moore. "This facility has lost money every month."

"Membership at the Y.M.C.A. is what helps us pay the bills," added Moore. "It helps us keep the lights on, and it's been a struggle with the lack of membership."

So the Y.M.C.A. approached the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church which is less than two miles away, and has over 7,000 members.

Moore believes with the help of the church membership numbers could grow ... keeping the facility alive.

"We think will best serve the community,"added Moore.

Moore would not comment on the specifics of the agreement and Antioch's pastor, Dr. John Adolph, declined as well because of legal issues.

But Adolph did make it clear that the church wants to help out the community in any way that it can.

"These kids are our future," said Eric Brooks. "Without a positive place to go,there is going to be more confusion and more trouble."

The Beaumont City Council will discuss the agreement at its next meeting November 17.