CALGARY – One of Calgary’s most historic recreation facilities could be forced to shut its doors unless it comes up with millions of dollars for a much-needed facelift.
The South YMCA has been a fixture in the southwest community of Haysboro for nearly five decades. When it opened with much fanfare in 1963, Grant MacEwan, Calgary’s mayor at the time, described the site as "a new high water mark in community history."
But dwindling membership–and a glut of exercise facilities in the area –has forced the cash-strapped organization to consider closing its swimming pool, day care and fitness programs permanently.
The South YMCA has struggled financially for about 20 years. Officials say it now requires more than triple the number of its 1,500 clients just to break even.
Members will learn the fate of the facility on Dec. 10. when board members decide whether to continue or shut down.
The building is on land leased from the city, and the YMCA has considered a variety of options to keep the doors open, including a partnership with the United Way and Alberta Health Services.
But the economic downturn has put a chill on such possibilities, said Kelly Smith, senior vice-president of finance for YMCA Calgary.
Even if the organization were to raise the money for repairs, nagging issues like parking are still a problem, he noted.
It’s uncertain whether members could cover the additional costs.
"The current building was built to last about 50 years and it is now at the end of its life cycle," said Smith.
"To bring the building up to current code would cost in the neighbourhood of about $5 million–and the YMCA doesn’t have the resources to do that.
"It will be a sad day if we have to close the facility."
John McDonald agrees.
A stay-at-home parent, he takes his three-year-old son Alex for a swim at the South YMCA at least twice a week.
The Haysboro resident considers the facility part of the fabric of the community, a place for seniors, young parents and new residents to mingle.
It’s disheartening that such a longtime neighbourhood fixture could fall victim to tough times and modernization, said the 20-year YMCA member.
"It’s like the changing of the guard," said McDonald.
"The Y is part of history here and a big connection to the community. Many of the young moms have an attachment to it because they went to it as kids. They just assumed it would carry on–and it doesn’t look like it will."
In 1963, Calgary became the first city in North America to open two YMCA branches at the same time.
Along with the Haysboro site, a second facility on Northmount Road operated for 33 years before it was shut down and replaced with the modern Crowfoot YMCA.
At the time, the two buildings cost more than a million dollars to build and provided much-needed family programs, camps and swimming facilities for hundreds of youth on waiting lists at Calgary’s inner-city YMCA branches.
Ald. Ric McIver said he sympathizes with residents of his ward who have come to depend on the aging South YMCA for everything from a jog on the treadmill to full-time child care.
But with so many fitness centres in the area–including a number of recently-renovated leisure centres –it’s not difficult to see why membership is slipping at the 47-year-old facility.
"The YMCA has a tough decision ahead of it and I don’t envy them," said McIver.
"I think the demographics around there have changed. There are less children per home than there used to be."
YMCA Calgary has met with members of the local community associations to discuss the possibility of relocating popular Y programs like summer day camps and language classes in case of a closure, said Smith.
"We would not have a significant presence in a facility, but we could have a program presence," he said.
The YMCA’s other locations–Eau Claire, Shawnessy and Crowfoot– do not face infrastructure issues and are not at risk of closure.
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YMCA History
– On Dec. 14, 1963, Calgary families celebrate the opening of two YMCA facilities, one on Haddon Road S.W. and the other on Northmount Drive N.W., at a total cost of $1,050,000.
– These new branches break with tradition by allowing both men and women.
– The near identical structures included club room, gymnasiums, swimming pools, kitchens, showers and washroom facilities.
– The Northmount Drive location closes on Jan. 24, 1997, after 33 years of service. The Crowfoot Y officially opens the next day.
Source: Herald Archives
tgignac@theherald. canwest.com
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