The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to support capacity, resiliency and growth in the communities we call home.

YMCA Centre for Life

Bridge St. W. and Sidney St. BellevilleK8P 5N3

What is this project about?

The YMCA of Central East Ontario is taking an intentional and proactive approach to address the needs of our growing community by building a new YMCA Centre For Life in Belleville, the first of its kind in the region. Located in the expanding west end of the city, at the corner of Bridge St. W. and Sidney St., the new 60,000 sq. ft. YMCA Centre for Life will serve the population of Belleville, Hastings County and surrounding region including Prince Edward County, and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The new multi-faceted facility will serve as a point of connection for children, youth, individuals and families to access healthcare, wellness, and community service options under one roof. This community hub will provide an inclusive space for people of all abilities, socio-economic status, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations in a safe and welcoming environment.

In addition to a full spectrum of health and wellness programs offered by the YMCA, our new community hub will forge formal, innovative partnerships with complementary social service organizations allowing us to provide expanded, multi-dimensional services through Volunteer + Information Centre of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties; Quinte Vitality & Social Support and Community Learning Alternatives all coming together within the new facility. Together, we will offer equitable and barrier-free access for the community to: find employment supports and skills and education training for those living with developmental challenges; access to engagement and connection through volunteer and mentorship programs; find opportunities to develop critical life skills and social support; and opportunities to benefit from holistic health and wellness programs, all co-located under one roof.

Through this transformational project, the new YMCA Centre for Life will also include expanded and fully-accessible facilities that include two pools (lap and therapy), whirlpool, gymnasium, conditioning centre, universal changeroom, aerobics/exercise studios, multi-purpose/community meeting rooms/tutoring areas, lounge and social areas, Kids Kare, children’s Treehouse and Kid Fit Zone, a community café, as well as a teaching kitchen for skills development training.

With an enhanced facility and powerful partnerships co-located under one roof, the YMCA will be poised to meet the complex challenges faced by a growing community and will allow us to support positive health outcomes for everyone, for generations to come. It will be a place where:

• children, youth, individuals, families and newcomers will engage and socialize
• socially isolated individuals will make connections that will help alleviate their loneliness
• young people will develop critical skills, learn from mentors and find their first job
• young children and newcomers will learn the important life skill of swimming
• young adults will acquire education equivalencies to support pursuit of post-secondary education
• children and adults will be supported in their mental and physical health
• people can access rehabilitation services and preventative health supports
• everyone will find volunteer opportunities
• seniors will find support and resources as they age
• lack of financial means is not a barrier

Why is this project important to the community?

In 2017, the YMCA of Central East Ontario commissioned a Feasibility Study to review the needs of the organization, the current and anticipated needs of the community we serve and to explore the viability of a new facility to deliver expanded programs and community services to a growing population in Belleville and surrounding region. With a population of over 50,000 and 200,000 more living within 30 minutes of the city, Belleville has experienced significant growth in recent years, including both young families, retirees and newcomers. In fact, from 2016 to 2021, Belleville experienced an 8.6% population change (Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile). This growth has, in turn, magnified the challenges of the current YMCA facility and those of our partners. Of critical importance is the need for a Centre that is fully-accessible and barrier-free, as our current building no longer meets the basic accessibility requirements that we have a duty to provide. Our city is growing, and we are unable to service the growing popularity of programs and services, and there is limited capacity for programming growth and innovation to respond to the needs of our community. The new YMCA Centre for Life is a partnership of five non-profit charities anchored by the YMCA. Each of our partner organizations provides meaningful programs and positive relationships for the people that we serve, who, in many cases, live on a minimal fixed income, or, who are experiencing challenging life situations as vulnerable individuals. Together, we are partnering to create an inclusive centre, opening the door for more people in the community to become involved in one safe, accessible, centrally located facility. Community members will access skills training and mentoring, rehabilitative services, gain social interaction, work experience and health and wellness supports all under one roof. We believe the synergies that these partnerships provide will allow each of us to expand our services and remove barriers that are inherent in our current facilities and allow for seamless access for the community to receive the support they need.