Funding shortfall from city 'won't stop YMCA project'
Published Friday November 27th, 2009
The YMCA project will move ahead despite a funding shortfall from the City of Fredericton.
The $19-million community centre will be constructed on the old Albert Street Middle School property.
It will replace the 50-year-old building that houses the YMCA on Saunders Street.
Bud Bird, co-chairperson of the fundraising campaign for the project, said it's relying on a $5.3-million grant from the federal government, $4 million from a bank loan and the sale of the Saunders Street property, and $3 million from a community fundraiser.
The remaining $1 million was requested from the city.
But Mayor Brad Woodside announced earlier this week that the city will only award the YMCA $250,000 over five years.
The mayor said the value of the contribution to the Y is more than the cash donation because the city made land available for Bliss Carman School on Kimble Drive, which is replacing Albert Street Middle School.
"The value of the land was appraised at over $1 million, and we took a discounted rate because it was not only for the province, but for a school, which was a good cause," Woodside said.
"The difference in that rate was a little over $300,000, which we think is a fair contribution that the city is making as part of this package."
While the $250,000 falls short of the $1 million the YMCA campaign needed from city officials, Bird said he's confident the project can still move forward.
"We're not going to let this stop us," he said. "We understand and appreciate in these difficult financial times that even coming up with the amount they did is a difficult task. I'm confident, that through community support and negotiations with our bankers, we can still make this work."
Bird said he has no hard feelings toward city council.
He said council and the YMCA have always had a good partnership and will continue to in the future.
"The community support for the Y is very strong. The YMCA has a very high and solid reputation for community service and being a fundamental element of the community," he said.
"That's not to say we won't be turning to the city again in future years for further consideration and enhanced support to fulfil the partnership investment we had originally proposed."
Woodside attended a luncheon at the YMCA on Thursday to show his support for its programs, but he didn't commit to any further funding.
Bird said the YMCA may be able to get the money it needs in other ways, although raising an additional $750,000 will be a challenge.
The encouraging thing, Bird said, is that the $3-million fundraising campaign was launched less than a month ago and already canvassers have collected pledges totaling about $1 million - one-third of the campaign goal.
"That's incredible when you think about the fact that we actually only officially launched the campaign last week," Bird said.
"Notwithstanding the city's decision, our campaign is proceeding really well. I'm confident and determined this will all work out in the end and our new building will be up and ready by March 2011."
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Unfortunately, it is not all citizens who are able to join the YMCA because it is actually cost inhibitive to a lot of families. When the new facility is built, it should be for all citizens regardless of income. We seem to build what should be public facilities using public monies weather they be federal or provincial for people who can afford the high membership fees and not the masses.
The new building should be renamed YM/YWCA as it is not just for men. Many other cities have noted the gender sharing in the name.
Just some thoughts
I think if some people see a zero on any of the comments they feel they have to put a 1 then some other looser follows suit. Does not matter what you say or how positive the message, there is someone to give a thumbs down.
Sick