A working group has been formed to look at the future of the local YMCA in Sault Ste. Marie.
The “Y” is poised to close May 15, dogged by an aging building, a $1.5 million debt and ever-increasing operational costs.
A YMCA update report from Community Services Director Brent Lamming is on the council’s agenda for Monday night’s meeting.
The report says a working group consisting of city staff, the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), Community Living Algoma (CLA), and three Sault YMCA board members as well as reps from YMCA Ontario will look at a potential, more streamlined YMCA.
The current building, at 85,000 sq. feet, far exceeds the current needs and contributes to high operating costs.
The local “Y” reached out to Council in late February of this year advising it was experiencing significant financial hardship.
The City has received financial statements and a 2007 assessment of the “Y”s building’s condition.
Sault YMCA Chief Executive Officer John Haddock told a public gathering April 17, the McNabb Street building, built in 1965, is well past its expected life. A new roof and new boiler system top a list of necessary improvements.
“It’s basically Sault Collegiate,” says former Sault YMCA CEO Marty Wyant.
Sault Collegiate Institute, built in 1907, was demolished in 2001.
City staff met with YMCA officials April 9, according to the report.
Discussions at that meeting included:
This would be a non issue if the irresponsible city hadn’t already squandered thirteen million $$ on a bit of concrete and a few used shipping containers to call a ‘Downtown plaza’ that was not wanted or needed, or any other upcoming plans for the downtown and waterfront areas that they plan on spending tens of millions more on for zero return and more massive debt.
The Ivory tower on the waterfront is full of morons, and unfortunately you can’t fix stupid!
I apologize I was just venting
no need to apologize when saying the truth