The YMCA of Central East Ontario reached a major milestone today when its Community Building Campaign Team broke ground on the site of the new Centre for Life in front of a huge crowd of supporters. This marks the culmination of six years of work in planning and fundraising to replace the current facility, which opened in 1964.
The new Centre for Life is located at 355 Bridge St W in Belleville.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for so long,” said David Allen, President and CEO of YMCA of Central East Ontario.
“An incredible team of people have worked diligently, always believing that our community deserves a modern facility that can offer more space for more programs. Pinch me, it’s really happening.”
Kristin Crowe and Ed Lethinen have led the Community Building Campaign since 2020 and are just as thrilled to see their commitment come to fruition.
“All along, we stayed motivated by the vision of a facility that would be more physically welcoming to people of all abilties,” Crowe said.
“Today, we took a giant step forward.”
Lethinen says in his 50 years of supporting the Belleville community, this project stands out as one of the most necessary and outstanding in recent memory.
“We know the Centre for life will make a huge difference that will resonate for generations to come.”
Not only will the new facility serve the YMCA, but it will also serve as home base for Community Services of Belleville and District, Volunteer + Information Hastings & Prince Edward Counties, and Community Learning Alternatives. Having all four under one roof will help them work together better to serve clients of all ages.
The YMCA serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities across the region. This new facility will offer the high-quality health and fitness programs that the YMCA is known for in a barrier-free, safe, and judgement-free environment for generations to come.
It was said this project would have never come this far without phenomenal support from three levels of government adding up to $17.5 million. This includes $8,997,000 from the federal government, $7,497,000 from the province, and $1 million from the City of Belleville.
Through the Community Building Campaign, the YMCA has raised more than $7 million towards its $9 million goal. To complete the project, its leaders invite everyone to join in supporting the Centre for Life’s mission, ensuring a legacy of health, growth, and resilience for Belleville families now and into the future.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
