New YMCA location off to a great start

By Nate Hinckley

The Windsor YMCA is benefiting from its move to the city’s east side.

The Y moved from its Victoria Ave. location to Central Park Athletics at Central Ave. and Grand Marais in late 2016. Windsor’s YMCA was founded in 1868. Its early local facilities included a location on Riverside Drive.

ln 1926 the Y moved to a new building on Pelissier St. with a gym and pool. The Y expanded westward to Victoria Ave. in 1973. The two locations were connected by a tunnel. Twenty years later the Victoria Ave. side became the main entrance.

Andy Sullivan, general manager at the new location, said they have been able to expand their programs and memberships with the new location.

“We have 43,000 square feet (of space), a brand-new pool and a gorgeous gymnasium,” said Sullivan. “We have family changing rooms and a really nice and clean childminding centre and we have kids’ programs.”

At its peak in the 1980s the Y had 3,500 members. Sullivan does not have a current membership number.

When the YMCA was located on Victoria Ave., students at the MediaPlex and St. Clair Centre for the Arts had free memberships.

Since the move, students have had to find a new place to work out.

The Windsor International Aquatic Training Centre was chosen following an agreement between the college and the city for students to have free membership.

“We currently have about 380 St. Clair College students who come and are able to use memberships at the fitness centre and or the pool during their academic studies,” said WIATC manager Jen Knights.

The downtown YMCA location has not closed its doors completely. Hugo Vega is general manager of settlement integration and newcomer services at the old YMCA location.

He has not seen a drop in the number of people coming to the centre.

“The newcomer programs and community programs are still here at the old location,”said Vega.

The newcomer programs include language and skills training and assistance to access a range of settlement services. There is also a newcomer youth program along with  interpretation and translation assistance for anyone who needs it.