Following months of feedback from residents of The Woodlands, the township board of directors voted Wednesday to execute a sales contract to purchase the former Creekside Park YMCA at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive for $4.5 million.

The YMCA of Greater Houston announced in April that the location would immediately discontinue fitness facility services and close when day camp programs wrapped up in the summer. Following the announcement, Creekside Park residents initiated a petition to salvage the facility and asked the township board to consider purchasing the YMCA.

During the township’s budget workshop meetings in mid-August, the board took a step forward in the process and voted to place $100,000 in the fiscal year 2016-17 budget to cover initial operating costs for the facility should the purchase be finalized.

Township Director Gordy Bunch said the potential purchase will put the amenities in Creekside Park on the same level as other areas of The Woodlands.

“It also creates a tremendous opportunity to engage in further development of the Spring Creek Greenway and partner with Commissioner [Jack] Cagle on what he’s already establishing,” he said. “I’m excited for our community to have this new potential asset added to our parks and rec department.”

Township Director Mike Bass also said the motion is a great step forward for The Woodlands.

“It will certainly make the people in Creekside feel like they’re part of The Woodlands, but it will also be a big benefit to those who live on the southern part of the Montgomery County part of The Woodlands,” he said.