Sault council backs plan to save YMCA but calls for more transparency

The plan to save the YMCA in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont, is moving forward but not all city councillors are throwing their support behind it.

Last month, the YMCA in Sault Ste. Marie announced it was planning to close in mid-May, due to increased operational costs, inflation and a slow return to pre-COVID membership.

On May 7, the city announced an anonymous charitable foundation is purchasing the YMCA's building on McNabb Street, with the hope of saving it from shutting down.

On Monday, council members heard from staff and members of the YMCA board about what could be done to keep the charity open.

The report suggested council vote in favour of the following actions:

• That council authorize city staff to finalize a 10-year lease agreement with both the organization and the YMCA.
• That council authorize a contribution of $505,000 from the contingency reserve to support capital refurbishments at the YMCA and maximize a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) funding agreement.
• That council request staff determine a path forward to enable the YMCA building to continue to be exempt from municipal taxation if such an exemption is lost as a result of this transaction.

"The YMCA has played a role in all of our lives, including myself," Coun. Sandra Hollingsworth said.

"From taking swimming lessons to when I was 16, I took a babysitting course."

Despite her support, Hollingsworth said she has concerns about the plan to save the charity.

"I am a great believer that we have to be conscious in how we spend our money. I am a great believer that we have to be conscious on how we spend taxpayers' money," she said.

"We have talked about how costs are rising. I will not be supporting this."

Coun. Angela Caputo also expressed concerns about how the YMCA was being operated.

"I do feel that there needs to be restructuring within the YMCA to make this work," she said.

"I will support this, but on my end, the restructuring has to be very strong and very swift because as I sit here, I have not heard responsibility to be taken by the YMCA, as to how this happened, I've heard not responsibility be taken, so that part scares me."

Mayor Mathew Shoemaker acknowledged the city's contribution of half a million dollars is significant, but said it makes sense in the long run.

"I think we're getting off, frankly, fairly cheap for the continuation of services until we can find a better plan to move forward," he said.

"It we don't make this investment … I think it will cost us a lot more than $505,000. I will support this request."

The vote did pass 7-3. Councillors Sandra Hollingsworth, Ron Zagordo and Marchy Bruni were opposed to the resolution.