The future of the Orillia YMCA building remains unclear, but the organization is still trying to find a use for it before putting it on the market.
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka closed the Peter Street facility in August 2020 because of financial difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December, it sought city council’s endorsement of a ministerial zoning order to expedite a zoning change that would allow the YMCA to apply for federal funding to potentially turn the facility into a youth transitional housing and support hub. Council narrowly rejected that call in a 5-4 vote.
Since then, “a few people” have shown interest in the property, said Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, noting some of them have toured the facility.
“There are many opportunities there,” she said, adding she couldn’t release specific details yet.
She said the YMCA “continues to be supportive of a youth transitional housing initiative in Orillia.” A meeting to discuss that possibility has been scheduled for the end of March.
Tettmann said there is “always an option” to sell the building, but it hasn’t been put on the market yet.
The YMCA would also like to see it be used in a way that benefits the community, she added.
“We’re continuing to be committed to serve Orillia and the community,” she said.
“We are open to lots of conversations with other partners.”
There aren’t any timelines in place for when a decision on the property’s future will be made. That might become more clear once the YMCA has completed its pandemic recovery plan, which is currently in the works.
“We’re trying to figure out what our future purpose looks like ... as an organization,” Tettmann said.
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka continues to provide services in the region, but it is operating with a budget about half the size of last year’s.
