All three levels of government are contributing a combined total of $14 million to a new YMCA community centre in the north end of Moncton – $6 million from the City of Moncton, with $4 million each from the federal and the provincial governments.
CEO Zane Korytko was ecstatic when he announced the news, saying area residents have been waiting almost 20 years.
The new facility will be built on a planned extension of Twin Oaks Drive between Evergreen Drive and Ryan Street.
“We’re gonna be putting in an indoor splash pad and playground, unique not just to Moncton, but unique to I think Canada, I’ve yet to find a Y that has an indoor splashpad, and playground,” says Korytko.
While wryly remarking about the weather in this part of Canada meaning outdoor splash pads are only useable a couple months a year, he said the new one at the community centre in the north end will be useable all year round.
The centre will also include a gym and fitness centre, an elecated indoor walking track as well as a multi purpose space for community support services and amenities.
Korytko expects to have shovels in the ground by the time it thaws next spring, and are planning for a grand opening in spring 2020.
The remaining $3 million will come from a yet to be launched capital fundraising campaign to be run by the YMCA of Greater Moncton.
Korytko said the work behind the campaign was underway, and they expect to get it up and running in the near future.
Long time north end residents Wendy Nason and Jeffrey Reath had been working on getting a community centre to the area for years, and expressed excitement and relief at Saturday’s funding announcement.
