The McDonald Family YMCA

The GDNA has been involved with the McDonald Family YMCA before it was a reality, providing community input into what residents in the area want and need as well as supporting its approval by City Council on September 30, 2015.  

​The STAFF REPORT for that meeting includes this information:

The YMCA Centre will be integrated into a mixed use building at 505 Richmond Street West. Both the building and the land associated with the YMCA will be owned by the YMCA. The land will be deeded to the YMCA as part of the project at no cost. The construction will be 1/3 funded by the YMCA and the remaining 2/3s through Section 37 and 45 contributions collected in Ward 20. In accordance with Official Plan policy, a Community Use Agreement will be entered into between the City and the YMCA to secure long-term affordable community access. Elements of a Community Use Agreement that the city will be negotiating with the YMCA will include but will not be limited to:

• The availability of financial subsidy and non-membership space(s) for community use
• Affordable and flexible programming to address the needs of families with children including young children. Examples include summer camps, preschool enrichment, family drop-in
• Youth programs and leadership development opportunities
• Access to aquatic programs and drop-in leisure swims
• Access to community programming information through cross promotion strategies between Park, Forestry and Recreation and the YMCA
• Coordinated planning
• Input into the design of the facility

In 2017, the GDNA was invited to submit something to a time capsule being prepared to mark the official ground-breaking event.  Catherine Mitchell blogged about it at the time.  TAKE A LOOK at that posting.
There has not been much involvement since but we anxiously await its opening in 2022.  Information and updates can be found via THIS YMCA LINK.