The YMCA in south Calgary made a “difficult” decision to close its doors next year to members as renovation costs have soared to the millions, according to officials.
The 47-year-old Haddon Road SW location is losing $200,000 a year and needs $5 million in repairs including a costly new roof pegged at $500,000, YMCA vice-president Kelly Smith said.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation and we didn’t take this decision lightly as this facility has been a part of the family for a very long time,” Smith said of the unanimous board decision made Tuesday night.
Although the lease with the city runs until 2063, the city of Calgary understands the situation and will take the building location over as of September, 2010, Smith added.
Even though the YMCA is closing doors on the building and on most of the renovations needed, they will be approving “critical” work needed for the roof.
“There is a part of the roof that needs the work immediately and we will take care of that,” Smith said.
Some YMCA members were understanding of the decision when asked yesterday at the facility, but some were upset they weren’t told of the impending closure sooner, including Maria, who wishes to withhold her last name.
“Maybe something could have been done, maybe funds could have been raised. I just don’t get why they wouldn’t have wanted to ask for help,” she said.
But Kelly says while the board didn’t seek members’ input in the matter, they did try to work with city partners to come up with a solution, without success.
