1. Why is the YMCAs of Québec undergoing a transformation?
The Y is reinventing itself, modernizing, and ensuring that a viable financial strategy is in place so it can continue to encourage and inspire all people to fulfill their potential, thrive, and give back to the community for decades to come.
This transformation includes the implementation of numerous projects, which were presented at the 2024 annual general meeting, held at the end of March, and in the 2023 impact report. Specifically, the focus is on implementing a sustainable financial strategy, redefining the YMCAs of Québec’s presence in Greater Montréal, and updating the services offered so that they better meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
2. Is the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA open?
Yes. The Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA offers youth and community programs, including:
- Day camps;
- After-school programs;
- A TeenZone;
- The Pathways to Education school support program;
- The YMCA Alternative Suspension academic support program;
- The C-Vert environmental engagement program; and
- Community support for social housing.
Our fitness and aquatic facilities are closed. However, the gym remains a favourite spot for young people taking part in community programs and is often rented out by local schools.
3. You put out a call for partners for the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA quite some time ago. Where do things stand?
Yes, we did indeed put out a call for partners in March 2021 for the transformation of some YMCA centres, including the Pointe-Saint-Charles Y.
We are still in discussions with the City of Montréal regarding a transformation project on the site of the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA, which would allow us to pursue our social impact in the community
4. What is your timeline for the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA transformation project?
The file is complex and several variables other than the timeline are impacting the transformation project.
That being said, the pandemic put a lot of pressure on our finances and we need to speed up our pace to carry out our transformation projects on all the sites that are not currently receiving funding for facility maintenance. This includes the Pointe-Saint-Charles site.
5. Have you put the site of the Pointe Saint-Charles YMCA up for sale?
The Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA is not for sale. We are in discussions with stakeholders to create a joint project to transform the site, one that would meet the current and future needs of the Pointe-Saint-Charles community.
6. Will fitness activities be included in the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA’s transformation project?
It is too soon to answer that question as we are currently evaluating all potential scenarios. However, one thing is clear: we cannot cover the costs to maintain the fitness facilities without a partner for these spaces.
7. Can members organize fundraisers or can you increase membership costs so that fitness activities can resume at the Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA?
The Pointe-Saint-Charles YMCA’s recurrent annual deficits are too substantial to be solved with fundraising alone, as is the case with all our centres that do not have a partnership in place such as the ones at the Cartierville, du Parc, and Saint-Roch YMCAs. The solution lies in a transformation project and the development of a partnership, not in fundraising, to cover the costs of our large fitness facilities.
We do, however, always encourage our members to get involved in our philanthropic activities and fundraising events to support our community programs.