The YMCA in North Bay is now allowed up to 50 people inside, but there’s still work to be done to keep the facility open.
The YMCAs in Sudbury and North Bay have both faced financial challenges because of the pandemic, sparking the need for the My Y is Resilient Campaign. The fundraising drive aims to raise $2 million for the two northeastern Ontario branches.
Nicole Beattie, VP of Philanthropy, Marketing and Communications, says as of this week, $1.4 million has been committed to the fundraiser, split fairly evenly between the two locations.
“We continued to see both individuals and corporations continue to give to the campaign,” she said. “We’re hoping this spring, things will continue to open up so that we can reinvigorate the community.”
Now in the yellow-protect zone of the province’s COVID-19 framework, Beattie says membership is at 25 percent of pre-COVID numbers.
“We know we’re going to have to do things differently,” Beattie said.
When the North Bay-Parry Sound region’s lockdown was extended while the rest of the province reopened, Beattie says it brought back a familiar feeling.
“It felt a lot like the way we felt in 2020 when this first happened,” she noted. “I hate to say this, but we’re becoming old pros in opening and closing and adapting and pivoting to whatever the circumstance is.”
During the lockdown, the facility focused on providing free, virtual fitness and wellness classes to keep members engaged while at home. The gym also rented out fitness equipment to people, which Beattie says had positive feedback.
“It’s good to see people staying active during the winter months,” she said.
Now that the YMCA has opened its doors again, Beattie says everyone who enters the building will go through active COVID-19 screening and a temperature check.
Looking ahead, the Y is looking to restructure some of its operations, with plans to offer a virtual membership to those who just wish to do online classes. Beattie says summer youth programs will also rely on what the province and region allow them to do within COVID-19 restrictions.
“Though we’ve had so much support around the campaign and fundraising…we do need people to come back to the Y and support us,” Beattie said.
Beattie adds the public is invited to complete a survey on the Y’s website to give input on how to price youth programming.
