Post by Ducky on Jan 18, 2005 7:31:49 GMT -5
New life for old North End Y?
Group proposing fitness centre
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
A fitness centre will rise at the site of a long-vacant YMCA building in the North End -- giving underprivileged Winnipeggers a place to play -- if the city plays ball with a business plan. Organizers have asked the city to sell them the former YMCA-YWCA complex for $1 so they can raise and spend $4.2 million to install state-of-the-art features such as a climbing wall, fitness rooms and an indoor playground.
"It needs a massive rebuilding," said Nanette McKay of the non-profit North End Community Renewal Corp.
"We want to design the space to meet program needs in the community rather than just slapping up a standard building. We want to provide the best and most appropriate services."
The proposal would see the Y at Mountain Avenue and McGregor Street -- empty for nine years -- gutted to pull out its indoor pool, while a "living room" with a kitchen and computer facility are installed.
"It will feel different from a Y, for sure," McKay added after asking city hall's property committee for help behind closed doors.
"We want the community to think it can make the space what it needs to be."
'A GREAT THING'
Councillors will consider the request after receiving more information on the group's plan, which involves making the YMCA-YWCA a tenant at its former complex.
"It sounds like a great thing," said Coun. Franco Magnifico (St. Boniface).
"It really needs a facility like that over there, though a day care and seniors would have to be accommodated."
The city is in the process of taking over the Y in a tax sale. And if city approval is granted, McKay said, corporate fundraising is likely among the project's few hurdles.
Users of the old North End Y's pool should expect the facility to make a splash of another kind, she added.
"There's a pool there, but that's a not a possibility with our present plan," she said.
"We don't think we could make enough money to keep it functional."
Group proposing fitness centre
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
A fitness centre will rise at the site of a long-vacant YMCA building in the North End -- giving underprivileged Winnipeggers a place to play -- if the city plays ball with a business plan. Organizers have asked the city to sell them the former YMCA-YWCA complex for $1 so they can raise and spend $4.2 million to install state-of-the-art features such as a climbing wall, fitness rooms and an indoor playground.
"It needs a massive rebuilding," said Nanette McKay of the non-profit North End Community Renewal Corp.
"We want to design the space to meet program needs in the community rather than just slapping up a standard building. We want to provide the best and most appropriate services."
The proposal would see the Y at Mountain Avenue and McGregor Street -- empty for nine years -- gutted to pull out its indoor pool, while a "living room" with a kitchen and computer facility are installed.
"It will feel different from a Y, for sure," McKay added after asking city hall's property committee for help behind closed doors.
"We want the community to think it can make the space what it needs to be."
'A GREAT THING'
Councillors will consider the request after receiving more information on the group's plan, which involves making the YMCA-YWCA a tenant at its former complex.
"It sounds like a great thing," said Coun. Franco Magnifico (St. Boniface).
"It really needs a facility like that over there, though a day care and seniors would have to be accommodated."
The city is in the process of taking over the Y in a tax sale. And if city approval is granted, McKay said, corporate fundraising is likely among the project's few hurdles.
Users of the old North End Y's pool should expect the facility to make a splash of another kind, she added.
"There's a pool there, but that's a not a possibility with our present plan," she said.
"We don't think we could make enough money to keep it functional."