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What will happen to Orillia YMCA building? Officials 'open to anything that makes sense'

'I’m hoping we can get creative and find a way for that building to stay part of the community,' says CEO, noting pandemic and new rec centre led to closure
Orillia ymca outside
The Orillia YMCA on Peter Street is being closed by the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. However, there is hope the Peter Street building can be repurposed. Contributed photo

A global pandemic, coupled with the opening of the Orillia Recreation Centre, combined to create a lethal one-two punch the Orillia YMCA could not survive.

Facing a projected $25-million loss in revenue over the next 12 months, the Simcoe Muskoka YMCA made “the very difficult decision” to close the Orillia Skid Watson YMCA along with similar facilities in Barrie and Parry Sound.

But the organization has no plans to put a for-sale sign on the Peter Street facility. 

“We are open to working with our partners and the municipality to repurpose this facility to meet the needs of the community,” said CEO Rob Armstrong.

“I’m hoping we can get creative and find a way for that building to stay part of the community,” he told OrilliaMatters in an interview. “We’re open to anything that makes sense. Everything is on the table.”

He said prior to the pandemic, the organization had planned to soldier on in Orillia and were looking at ways to continue operating. 

Now, the conversation turns to other options for the facility that he says is in good shape.

He noted many of the 3,200 members of the Orillia YMCA are seniors. He wonders if the building could be repurposed as a seniors centre.

He also noted youth homelessness in Orillia is an issue and suggested that could be an avenue of exploration.

Armstrong also wondered if there was a way “to support the development” across the street at the former ODCVI property.

He said he has reached out to County of Simcoe officials as well as Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke to have some preliminary discussions about the building’s future.

“The sky’s the limit,” said Armstrong, who is hoping to hear creative ideas for the building, constructed in 1985. It had a $4-million renovation/addition in 2012.

Armstrong noted the pool “is the most expensive component” of the building. He would consider removing it to repurpose the facility in a way that makes sense.

He said the YMCA is in the process of getting all of its properties - including the Orillia property and Geneva Park - evaluated to see what they’re worth.

“If we can’t figure something out, what else are you going to do, but sell?” he asked. “But that’s not what we want to see happen in Orillia. That’s not our first choice.”

The Orillia YMCA and all YMCAs in the region have been shuttered since mid-March, when the pandemic hit.

Armstrong said out west, some YMCAs have reopened, but, generally, “people don’t seem ready to go back.”

He said it could be a long time before the ‘traditional’ YMCA experience returns. He said most people become members for the “camaraderie” and “sense of community” that defines the experience.

“People will find other ‘gyms,’ but they didn’t go for the gym - they went for that camaraderie. That will be the biggest loss,” said Armstrong.

There is also a loss of employment although that is difficult to quantify. Armstrong said about 75 people worked at the Orillia YMCA - including about 10 full-timers. They were all laid off when COVID-19 struck.

Some have already found work elsewhere and some might find work at other YMCAs in the region. He also said there is a “desperate need” for people to work in their child-care and after-school programs; he is hopeful some former employees will find work in those programs.

Some former employees - especially lifeguards - may also be hired to work at the new municipal recreation centre.

But, Armstrong concedes, the closure of the Peter Street building is significant.

“In a community the size of Orillia, the Y is a big deal,” said Armstrong. “But we want people to know we’ll still have a presence in Orillia. We will still offer child-care and programs.”

He said in the coming weeks, any members due refunds will receive them. In addition, members will be given a chance to retrieve items from their lockers.

“There will be an opportunity to come in and clean out the lockers and to say goodbye,” said Armstrong, noting the timing of that has yet to be determined.

If you have an idea for repurposing of the Orillia building, contact Armstrong: [email protected]


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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