NEWS RELEASE

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

VICTORIA, BC — The YMCA-YWCA has given notice that it will not renew its lease at 521 Craigflower Road effective June 30, 2010.

Over the next three months the Vic West Community Association will work with the City and YMCA-YWCA to investigate whether they would like to lease the space and provide programming in the Vic West neighbourhood. The Y is intending to continue to provide the Out of School program in Vic West and will relocate the Daycare to its Downtown facility.

“The YMCA-YWCA has been a long standing member of the Vic West community and we are thankful for their many years of community programming in this neighbourhood,” noted John Luton, Councillor liaison to Victoria West. “Easy access to leisure and learning programs is important to community well-being. The three agencies will work closely in the coming months to determine how best to ensure programming continues in this growing neighbourhood.”

The City and Vic West Community Association will make a decision about how to proceed by March 1, 2010, allowing a few months transition before the Y moves out in June.

“The Y has enjoyed providing services to the Vic West Community. However we recognize that both the needs of the community and the community itself have changed significantly since the three party agreement was first struck,” added Jennie Edgecombe, Chief Executive Officer “We feel the community will be better served by a model similar to the other Community Centres.”

Updates will be posted in this section of the Y’s website as they become available.