Montréal, June 28, 2018 – With only a few days until Canada Day, it is with great pride and joy that members and participants of Guy-Favreau YMCA are learning that their community and sports centre will remain open for years to come! A tentative agreement has been reached with Public Services and Procurement Canada, the owner of the building, confirming the terms of the YMCA’s 10-year lease and ensuring the long-term future of the centre in the heart of Complex Guy-Favreau on the corner of René-Lévesque and Saint-Urbain.

“Our Government recognizes the important role the Guy-Favreau YMCA plays in the downtown Montreal community. I am pleased that we have worked with them to come to an agreement that will deliver ongoing benefits to the community”, affirms Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Île-des-Sœurs.

Members, participants and the Guy-Favreau YMCA’s team, who have been mobilizing against the threat of the centre’s closure since February 28, 2017, are moved and relieved by the news today. “This past year was full of uncertainty for the centre’s employees, volunteers, members and participants, whom we thank for their loyalty. Given the urgency of the situation, all those concerned seized the opportunity to define a clear vision for our centre and to develop a business and social impact model for the Guy-Favreau YMCA centre that looks towards the future. I would like to thank Public Services and Procurement Canada for working with us to find a solution that satisfies both parties and benefits the community we serve”, says Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of the YMCAs of Québec.

In addition to working with employees, public partners and local partners to maximize the YMCA’s impact on the community, the YMCAs of Québec plans to invest in major renovations. “The centre certainly needs some love, but we are a responsible organization and we could not have done all the renovations we wanted do without being sure of our status as tenants. After renewing the lease, we will now begin a transformation process, which will lead to the rebirth of the Guy-Favreau YMCA,” concludes Stéphane Vaillancourt.

About the YMCAs of Québec
The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and 40 points of service across the province are visited each year by more than 120,000 people.