The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario says their Health, Fitness and Aquatics Centres face the risk of closure because of COVID-19.

Officials say the YMCA has lost over $3 million in revenue due to the pandemic.

They’ve launched a campaign, called ‘My Y is Resilient’ that looks to raise a million dollars in North Bay and another million in Sudbury.

North Bay YMCA board member Dave Saad on the impact if the Y had to close its doors.

“You would lose services like child care, services accessed by single parents, the operation of the aquatic centre would be impacted and you wouldn’t have the opportunity to provide the type of programs and diversity that no one else in the community can provide,” Saad says.

Saad says the campaign will help ensure the Y can remain strong, resilient and able to continue supporting the communities for years to come.

Helen Francis is President and CEO of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.

She says the worst case scenario of shutting down in North Bay and Sudbury would mean several hundred people would be out of work.

“It can top close to 500 during the summer. Right now, we’re trying to do everything we can to prevent a complete shutdown of the association,” she says.

Francis says if you want to donate to the North Bay Y only just specify on your donation.

Francis says they have a $100,000 donation from a Sudbury mining executive and a total of $400,000 in support during and after the COVID-19 shutdown.

For more information on the campaign go to www.ymcaneo.ca

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: Dave Saad, Helen Francis, My Y is Resilient, North Bay YMCA