Local leaders are getting closer to completing an agreement that will create a site for a YMCA in Westlake Village, officials say.

With the deal expected to be final within a few months, city officials are planning a town-hall meeting in September to discuss the project.

"It is progressing and we are in a stage of defining roles between the YMCA and the City of Westlake Village," said Rick Politte, president and CEO of the YMCA of Southeast Ventura County. "We are hoping in the next two to three months to have a final agreement with the city, at which time we will begin our fundraising campaign."

City officials say they will hold the community meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

The planned location of the YMCA is on the north side of Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Via Colinas and Lindero Canyon Road.

"The city is continuing its negotiations with the YMCA to jointly construct a master pad for the building that is adjacent to the proposed eight-acre sports park," said Westlake Village City Manager Ray Taylor.

Representatives of the YMCA and the city have held a number of meetings in recent months, according to city officials.

Part of the agreement deals with a land swap involving the city and the Canyon Oaks Homeowners Association.

The YMCA owns five acres near the residential development, but the homeowners association would prefer to see it remain as open space, Politte said. Also, the homeowners association owns a parcel on Thousand Oaks Boulevard across from La Baya Drive. The land swap involves renegotiating and, in essence, trading the parcels so the residents keep the open space behind their homes and the YMCA benefits from a larger space with greater public access, he said.

At this point, "the land swap is an agreed-upon thing," Politte said.

He said the fundraising campaign will be important.

"In order for this project to come together and have a better outcome for the community, it requires a partnership," he said.

Westlake Village City Councilmember Philippa Klessig expressed optimism about the YMCA.

"We are hoping it will be a go. The community has asked for more parks in our area," Klessig said. "There is still work to be done."