YMCA in the Sault ceasing operations next month
The YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie is selling its building and ceasing operations in May.
The YMCA announced the news on its website Tuesday.
“As you may know, like many charities, the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie has continued to work toward post-pandemic recovery, including critical assessments of the strengths and challenges of our organization,” said the post, signed by interim CEO John Haddock.
“Unfortunately, increased operational costs, coupled with inflation and a slow return to pre-COVID levels of participation, mean that our charity is in a difficult financial position, and we are exploring options to address the challenges we face.”
The organization has hired legal and financial advisers to “assist in next steps including assessing a path forward and we have had to make some operational decisions.”
“This is a tough time for the Y family,” Haddock told CTV News on Wednesday.
“The staff have been remarkable. Remarkably resilient and have been really stellar in managing this whole situation themselves, but also helping others.”
“The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the YMCA are forming a working group. Our first meeting is April 23, as we’re starting to talk about the future together,” he added.
In addition to selling the McNabb Street property, all programs will cease no later than May 15.
“In terms of our eight YMCA childcare sites, we can say that our funding partners are working on a plan for continuation of service,” the post said.
“Parents and staff will receive frequent updates.”
Childcare sites
The YMCA operates eight childcare sites in the city, with around 140 individual spots. Sault Social Services is working on a plan to absorb those spots.
“Currently, the DSSAB is looking for ways to transition those children into other spots within the system,” said chair Stephanie Hopkin.
“Now, currently, we can’t guarantee to the parents that there will be spots, but we’re working diligently to try to bring those spaces into existing infrastructure in the system right now.”
Attempts will be made to transfer children at the McNabb Street centre to other spaces.
“It is expected that this transition will happen over several weeks. Parents and staff will receive frequent updates,” the post said.
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said the city likely won't step in.
“We have just been through a process where we’ve gotten rid of the McMeeken Centre, which was built in 1965 or so and was over 50 years old,” said Shoemaker.
“We are reticent, I think, to pick up another 60- or 65-year-old building.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.