Rob Myers

Rocky Gaudrault

Thompson Family

Todd Warriner

Maureen Geddes

Dean Bradley

Darcy McKeough

18, 2010

New YMCA Closer Than Ever!

Chatham-Kent, Ontario – The YMCA of Chatham-Kent launched the final phase of the ‘Building Our New Y’ campaign today.   “The pubic campaign begins today with our team of 40 campaign volunteers who will be out in the community asking for your donation to help fund our new YMCA.” said Campaign Co-Chair Rocky Gauldrault. “Every gift counts and we will need your help to realize this goal”, said Gaudrault.

The Building our new Y campaign has raised $3.4M to date, on a goal of $5M.

A number of new corporate and private donations in support of the new YMCA facility were also announced.  Corporate donors included CK Energy, Heuvelmans Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd., Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, Chatham-Kent Family YMCA Foundation, Roy Investment Ltd., Huron Construction and Boralex as well as a generous private donation from Max Fantuz. 

 “Our employees were really excited to participate in the campaign’, says CK Energy CEO Jim Hogan.  “Our $250,000 donation will help support a project that can benefit residents of all ages, and the YMCA’s project will do just that. We know we made the right decision.”

Scott Heuvelman of Heuvelmans Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. donated $50,000 toward the project and stated “Heuvelmans Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac is a family oriented organization and support for our YMCA is support for a wide cross section of families in our community.”

Also donating $50,000 was the Chatham-Kent Family YMCA Foundation.  Brian Glover, Chair of the foundation explained ‘the foundation was established 15 years ago to support the YMCA in Chatham-Kent.  We are extremely pleased to invest in the next 50 years of YMCA services in our community through this donation.”

A $50,000 donation was also received from the Chatham Kent Community Foundation.  Board Chair Kristen Stevens explained “We’re very pleased to support the new YMCA.  Our mandate is to provide grants to charitable groups throughout the entire municipality and this donation allows us to reach that geographical area as well as all age groups.  The new YMCA is something the community has looked forward to for some time and we are happy to be part of it.”

Generous donations of $25,000 each were received from Max Fantuz and Roy Investment Ltd.  Paul Roy, owner of Roy Investment stated “the Y has served this community well for many generations.  I’m eager to contribute to the completion of this campaign so that we continue to use our new YMCA for many years to come.”

John & Lorna Lawrence, coordinators of the public phase of the campaign explained that this is the opportunity for the community to rally behind this project and push the campaign over the top.  The goal of the public campaign is to raise $1.6 million.   

“The YMCA is extremely grateful for the support we’ve received so far”, says, Jim Janzen, CEO, YMCA of Chatham-Kent. “Each of these donations is very significant.  We’re thrilled that the community support is so strong.  It’s a great indication of how much this community values the YMCA.  Janzen reports that the $17.8M construction project is “on time and on budget, and scheduled to open July 2011.  We’re confident that the community will continue to respond positively to our campaign volunteers in our efforts to complete this final phase of the project.”

Media contacts:

Jim Janzen, YMCA CEO                        Mike Walters, YMCA VP, Funds Development

jjanzen@ymcaswo.ca                            mwalters@ymcaswo.ca

(519) 381-9947                                       (519) 350-3206

The YMCA’s King Street property, a former lumber yard, became the home of the YMCA in 1962. The facility was created through the generous support of community donors whose financial gifts enabled the YMCA to serve many generations of Chatham-Kent residents.  Today a similar effort is underway to renew the YMCA of Chatham-Kent.  Dedicated volunteers and donors are giving their time and money to support the campaign for the new YMCA.  Financial contributions by the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments have also supported the project.

Jim Janzen, YMCA CEO reflected on the King Street YMCA. “This YMCA facility has been a centre of community for almost 50 years, but it no longer meets the needs of the growing community.  We respect the investments of donors, volunteers and staff in this wonderful old building and look forward to renewing and increasing our service to Chatham-Kent at the new Y in 2011.”

The YMCA’s King Street property is a 2.7 acre site located on the banks of the Thames River.  The new 44,000 square foot YMCA facility will feature a 25 metre 6 lane lap pool and a warm water leisure therapy pool, gymnasium, fitness and wellness areas and community space. The property is offered for sale through Brian Peifer of Royal Lepage Peifer Realty of Chatham.  More information and construction photos of the YMCA’s new Grand Avenue West facility can be viewed at www.buildingournewy.com

Click to enlarge.

Photos by YMCA staff member Don Wallace.