The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is holding "engagement sessions" this week to give local residents an opportunity to provide input on how the organization can better serve the Orillia community going forward.
No staff members from the YMCA were in attendance for the meeting at the Orillia Public Library on Wednesday morning; the event was hosted by a third-party consultant, Ligaya Byrch. There were about 10 people in attendance at the event including a few members from the municipality, such as mayor Don McIsaac.
Byrch says the purpose of the engagement is to better understand the "emerging needs of the community and how the YMCA may be able to play a role" in meeting such needs as part of its strategic process.
Currently, she explained the YMCA is serving Orillia through licensed childcare, day camps, outdoor education, youth services, and immigrant services. However, members of the audience made it clear during the discussion that a lot of the community’s needs are a result of the abrupt closure of the YMCA building on Peter Street in August 2020.
Larry Smith, a former physical education teacher and coach, says the YMCA's decision to pull the plug on its Peter Street location has left a void in the development of role models and leadership for younger generations.
“A big part of the YMCA was leadership,” he said. “Those leaders were often volunteers, staff, and teachers who were associated with the YMCA.”
Mike McMurter a member of the YMCA for about 10 years, says the sale of the Peter Street location also took away a “safe space” for members to connect with each other.
“It was a safe place where men, and I’m sure with women too, could share with other men some of their situations and there was support there,” he said. “The real strength of the place was socialization.”
While the Orillia Recreation Centre is a great place to swim and exercise, McMurter says it sports a “different culture” than what was found at the YMCA.
With some help from the YMCA, Byrch says the city's recreation facility on West Street could become more inviting and could even possibly replicate the “safe” atmosphere that was felt at the Skid Watson building.
Ruth Watt, a former member of the YMCA and a local senior, says there is already an abundance of programming for local seniors in the community; she would like to see the YMCA shift its focus to Orillia’s youth.
“When I was a kid, I went to the YMCA for leadership programs and youth activities,” she said. “I don’t know that we have enough of those in our community.”
During the session, Byrch said the YMCA is interested in investing in the Orillia community through the Forward Together Fund. Barbara Christie, a local community member, asked if money from the sale of the YMCA building on Peter Street will be going into the fund.
“My understanding is portions of what was sold in Orillia are being used towards the fund,” Byrch said.
From McIsaac’s understanding, the funds from the sale of the Skid Watson building were used for operational expenses and capital expenses within the Simcoe Muskoka YMCA. The money from the sale of iconic Geneva Park has been set aside in a separate fund.
“I don’t think any of us like it, but we can’t change what’s happened,” McIsaac said. “Let’s look forward and see what we can do. I think there are all sorts of possibilities out there and if we focus on that then maybe we can make some progress and get to a good spot.”
Christie reminded Byrch and McIsaac that some Orillia residents will be hesitant towards supporting YMCA programming going forward due to the sale of the Orillia YMCA building without consulting members.
“It was taken away from us and we’ve been insulted and hurt by the fact that no one spoke to anyone in Orillia,” she said. “It was unethical.”
Byrch says she appreciates the feedback and the frustrations expressed have been well documented on behalf of Orillians.
Christie says the Orillia community poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the YMCA over the years, which is why it makes it hard to trust the organization going forward. Watt added that the YMCA’s attempt to reconcile with the community through the engagement sessions is coming three years too late.
The final engagement session takes place on Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Orillia Public Library. To register, email [email protected].
