'Extremely difficult decision': Read the full statement, press release from YMCA

The Sault YMCA's interim CEO has issued a statement to members this afternoon confirming that the 125-year-old organization will cease all programs as of May 15. 

The email follows news broken by SooToday's David Helwig this morning that the YMCA's McNabb Street building had been listed for $2,999,000.

The following is the full text of YMCA Interim CEO John Haddock's email to members, followed by a press release issued by the organization Tuesday afternoon.

Dear friends and members of the YMCA,

We are writing today to share an update about the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie.

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. Unfortunately, increased operational costs, coupled with inflation and a slow return to pre-COVID levels of participation, means that our charity is in a difficult financial position, and we are exploring options to address the challenges we face. We have engaged legal and financial advisors to assist in next steps including assessing a path forward and we have had to make some operational decisions, which we know will be difficult to hear:

• Our McNabb Street property is for sale.
• Unfortunately, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision that all programs will close as of Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the latest.
• In terms of our 8 YMCA childcare sites, we can say that our funding partners are working on a plan for continuation of service. Parents and staff will receive frequent updates.
  • With respect to the Y Childcare at 235 McNabb St., with support from our funding partner and community providers and in collaboration with parents, the children will attempt to be transferred to another childcare site with available spaces. It is expected that this transition will happen over several weeks. Parents and Staff will receive frequent updates.

While we are still gathering details about next steps, we are happy to answer any questions to the best of our ability. We are committed to being as open and transparent as possible during this process. If you would like to ask questions or discuss this news, there is the opportunity for you to do that at our YMCA tomorrow (Wednesday, April 17th) at McNabb Street in the playroom from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. I welcome your thoughts, memories and questions.

We care deeply for our staff, volunteers, members and the Sault community and will continue to treat everyone with the same level of care and respect they expect and deserve.

We also want to acknowledge the support that we have received from the City of Sault Ste. Marie during this challenging time. We are happy to share that the Municipality of Sault Ste Marie and the YMCA will be forming a working group to explore the potential for future services. While we don’t know what the ultimate outcome of this effort will be, we are eager to continue to work with our municipal partners on what the future can be.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in the community who has engaged with or contributed to the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie. Your support has led to thousands of children, families and individuals developing a healthy spirit, mind and body and building a legacy of caring in our community. The YMCA exists purely to help make the community a better place, and it has been our honour to see the impacts of the organization in the community.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate through this process.

With gratitude,
John Haddock, Interim CEO

Media Release / Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An Update About the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - April 16, 2024 | The YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie announced today that it is in a difficult financial position, and is exploring options to address the challenges. The organization has engaged legal and financial advisors to assist in next steps and they are now assessing a path forward.

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 the organization. Unfortunately, increased operational costs, coupled with inflation and a slow return to pre-COVID levels of participation has meant that the charity has made the following decisions, following very careful consideration and exhaustive deliberation:

• The property at 235 McNabb Street is for sale.
• Unfortunately, the extremely difficult decision has been made that Health and Fitness, and all other operations will cease as of Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The YMCA also shared that they are working together with the funding patterns for the 8 YMCA childcare sites for a continuation of service. With respect to the Y Childcare at 235 McNabb St., with support from funding partners and community providers and in collaboration with parents, will attempt to be transferred to another childcare site with available spaces. It is expected that this transition will happen over several weeks. All parents will receive frequent updates about next steps.

John Haddock, Interim CEO is focused on supporting the staff team and said, “These decisions were not made lightly and are in no way a reflection of our dedicated staff and volunteers. The impact of the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie in our community and the positive experiences our members have had are a direct reflection of our outstanding staff and volunteers. We are going to do everything we can to support the entire team as we navigate through this process.”

The association also acknowledges the support received from the City of Sault Ste. Marie to date and looks forward to participating in a working group that is to be formed to explore the potential for future services. 

The association also extended a heartfelt thank you to the members, past and present, as well as the volunteers, donors and community partners who have all been an integral part of the impact of the YMCA for so long. Contributions to the YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie have supported thousands of children, families and individuals to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body and built a legacy of caring in the community.

Haddock confirmed, “The YMCA exists purely to help make the community a better place, and it has been our honour to see the impacts of the organization in the community.”