Work continues in preparation for a new YMCA in west end Belleville.
The Centre for Life will be the name of the facility, and is in partnership with the YMCA Central East Ontario, Quinte Vitality Social Support, Volunteer and Information Quinte, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the municipality.
The federal government is putting $8.9 million into the project, the province more than $7.4 million.
It is expected to provide a variety of services including social, education, health, fitness, life skills programs, and more.
Officials say community consultation took place, which included the launching of the Y’s Capital Campaign, for the portion of funds they are responsible for.
The Request for Proposal process for a construction management company is in the process, with Dave Brown, formerly of TaskForce Engineering serving as Project Manager.
MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE YMCA CENTRAL EAST ONTARIO IS BELOW
we are excited to share what has been happening with our new YMCA Centre for Life project in Belleville.
The new YMCA Centre for Life is a partnership led by the YMCA of Central East Ontario with Quinte Vitality Social Support (QVSS), Volunteer Information Quinte (VIQ) and the City of Belleville. Together we will strengthen the well-being of the members of our community.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $8.9 million in this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan and the Government of Ontario is providing more than $7.4 million.
The new location in Belleville’s west end will enhance the quality of life and bring programs to an area of our city in need. Our goal, through this model, is to improve the health of more people and create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. We want to welcome all, be accessible to all, increase inclusion and reduce our impact on the environment by providing more services closer to home in a safe environment.
We want to transform space into place. A place where people will come together to experience a sense of belonging and community. Where, individuals and families will connect, young people will find their first job, children and adults will get active and stay mentally and physically healthy, seniors will find support and resources as they age, people will get the chance to access rehabilitation services and volunteer opportunities, regardless of their abilities.
Our new YMCA Centre for Life will provide a variety of services that welcomes people from all backgrounds with a menu of social, education, health, fitness, recreation, life skills programs and opportunity. By coming together, we will be stronger and more sustainable while creating a wonderful community where everyone will feel a sense of belonging and self-worth.
During the months of July and August, we began the community consultation process for a YMCA Capital Campaign to raise funds to cover the YMCA’s portion of the project costs. Our YMCA began working with The Dennis Group, the same company who successfully managed the Capital Campaign for the new Hospice Quinte Building. The Dennis Group have been conducting several interviews with leaders in our community to discuss the potential for a Capital Campaign in the Belleville and Quinte Region.
We recently received our Transfer Payment Agreement from the Provincial Government which will allow us to begin moving forward with a financial investment and the RFP process to hire a Construction Management Company to lead the design and construction phase of the new building.
We’ve engaged the Canadian YMCA Procurement Group who will assist us during different phases of the project, including the initial RFP process to hire the Construction Management Company.
Internally, we have set up our YMCA Capital Development Committee who will oversee the project from a YMCA perspective and that committee, initially, will consist of David Allen, Michele Nicholls, Amanda Smith, Ron Riddell, Claire Kennedy, Bill Taunton, Lynn Livingston and Kara Reynolds. We are in the early stages of the project and there will be opportunities for other staff to play a role and join the committee as the project progresses. We are early in the planning process and recognize with just having re-opened our branches, planning for fall program registration etc. that staff are running fast and hard – there will be future opportunities for input.
We are pleased to introduce everyone to Dave Brown. Dave will be our Project Manager and resident expert. Dave has been a good friend of our YMCA for many years and played a key role in assisting with the application process and construction costing associated with the application. We are fortunate to have Dave’s expertise and commitment to join us on this very exciting project. Prior to his retirement, Dave was a founding partner of TaskForce Engineering. Dave is a life member of PEO, a member of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. Dave has volunteered extensively within his community, particularly with the United Way, where he was chair of the 2013 Campaign Committee.
Thus far, there will be 3 organizations joining us in the new YMCA Centre for Life, including Quinte Vitality Social Support, Volunteer Information Quinte and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hasting Prince Edward. We are currently in discussions with other potential organizations who may be joining us on this very exciting journey.
