Sault YMCA, library team up to stimulate your body and mind
A trial of the YMCA's gym, weight room and pool is only a library card away for those in the Sault.
A new pilot project between the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and the Y offers one-week free passes to those with a library card.
Library CEO Matthew MacDonald said there is one pass available at each of the James L McIntyre and North Branch facilities.
“You come to the library you stimulate your mind," MacDonald said.
"There’s lots to do with mental health and physical health, and it’s all kind of related and tied into the individual as a whole.”
Each pass can be used by up to five family members or friends at a time.
Natasha Collett with the YMCA said they noticed an overlap in people using the library and those who use the YMCA.
“Some of them do have financial barriers and are not able to access the YMCA," Collett said.
"So this is a great way for them to try the Y and not have the burden to pay for a membership. We also have financial assistance. So this is a way for them to come try the Y, see the programs, see what we can do here and then we can maybe work with them if they want to get a membership.”
So far, nine people have already used the one-week passes. MacDonald said the wait list currently sits at 14 and is growing.
“That would indicate to us that it is a service that is wanted and very valuable to the community,” he said.
Non-Profit organization ParticipACTION recently stated that children aren't getting enough physical activity and are spending too much time on screens.
Collett wants to remind people that their facility is for everyone in the family. They also have after-school programs for kids such as basketball and floor hockey.
“We have fitness classes for children as well, and there’s fitness classes that parents can do while the kids are in the gym playing. So it’s a way to get them out of the house and off the screens.”
The pilot program will run for at least a year and will be reassessed next summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.