YMCA strikes out at City Council - denied $2 million

When Marty Wyant, chief executive officer of the Sault Family YMCA, appeared at tonight's special meeting of City Council seeking a $2 million municipal donation, no one was expecting the gift to be rubber-stamped with no questions asked.

What was surprising was that Wyant found himself with virtually no support for such a large handout, representing about 17 percent of the estimated cost of the Y's proposed new building.

To a person, each City councillor rejected the donation, some questioning just how different the Y is from private health clubs, others insisting any decision regarding the gift should be made at budget time.

Mayor John Rowswell, an indomitable Y supporter who's been swimming lengths in the pool there to help with fundraising efforts, then proposed donating $2,024,735 over four years.

But no one was willing to second the mayor's motion and it was defeated.

Councillors did approve a motion indicating moral support for the YMCA's bid to attract nonprofit economic stimulus funding for its rebuilding project.

They also agreed to set up a committee to explore the possibility of a funding scheme that would involve the City paying for specific YMCA services.

At tonight's meeting, Wyant cited other municipalties that have supported Y building projects with multi-million-dollar donations.

Niagara Falls, for example, donated $15 million, representing 63 percent of the cost of its new 101,000-square-foot YMCA.

Waterloo contributed $7.5 million, 50 percent of the cost of a 45,000-square-foot Y.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers said she's a strong proponent of a capital campaign, which would accurately gauge the amount of voluntary support for a new Y in the community without burdening taxpayers.

The new Sault Family YMCA would include a new aquatic centre with two pools and an on-deck whirlpool.

One pool would have six 25-metre lanes with full accessibilty provided by an entry ramp.

The other would be a shallower leisure pool for recreational and therapeutic users, also with an entry ramp.

Other aspects of the rebuilding project include a redesigned locker and shower area and renovations to many other areas.