YMCA celebrates successes with major changes on the horizon
Friends and passionate supporters of the YMCA gathered tonight to celebrate some major accomplishments of the last year as the organization looks toward a busy timeline in the coming years.
On Monday, the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka hosted its annual celebration, replacing the previous annual general meeting, which can no longer be held due to changes in policy concerning not-for-profits.
"We bring our community together, our staff, our board, our partners to celebrate all of the work that we're doing at the Y," said President & CEO Jill Tettman.
Monday's gathering brought together many of the YMCA's supporters and core partners, including Georgian College. Among 2023 highlights that included raising over $1 million and providing financial assistance to nearly 700 youth to attend camp, Tettman says an expanded partnership with Georgian College focused on 'belonging' may be what she's most proud of.
"Belonging is a really important focus for us at the YMCA," Tettman told CTV News. We talk about inclusion, equity, and belonging, and we're working with Georgian College on a project to explore the future of belonging in our communities and what that looks like from a social and innovation perspective."
As it celebrates recent successes, the organization looks ahead to a pivotal few years as staff work on bringing a new facility to the City of Barrie.
Announced late last year, Tettman says plans for Barrie's new YMCA location will be complete by 2027.
"We have submitted our site plan application to the city, and we are working with our architects and are finalizing our design, and we are working with our donors and our very incredible supporters and sponsors of this new center of community in Barrie."
In November 2023, officials signed a 50-year lease agreement with the City of Barrie to build a new facility at 535 Bayview Drive, directly adjacent to the city-owned Sadlon Arena.
The brand-new facility will be located on the northeast corner of the property. It comes more than three years after the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka decided to close three fitness facilities, including the one in Barrie, due to financial pressures.
In addition to the core health and fitness components, it will include an intergenerational hub offering programs for youth and seniors and new childcare spaces.
Tettman says construction is expected to begin in early 2025.
"The Y prides itself in ensuring all of our programs, no matter what we offer, whether it's child care or health and fitness or camp that people find a space where they belong."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
'Decades-long fight': MPs unanimously pass 'anti-scab' legislation
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
81-year-old arrested after police say he terrorized a California neighbourhood with a slingshot
An 81-year-old man who investigators say terrorized a Southern California neighbourhood for years with a slingshot has been arrested, police said.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'