Healthy Communities • YMCA Youth Programs
The Kingston Road YMCA: An Investment in the Health of Our Kids
20 October 2015 - by Nicole Meredith
Today, we celebrated the ground breaking for a new YMCA Centre of Community to be built at 907 Kingston Road, west of Victoria Park Avenue.
We've envisioned this state-of-the-art centre as one part of our Strong Start, Great Future initiative. By building 10 new YMCAs across the GTA, we're getting closer to fulfilling our vision of making Toronto home to the healthiest children, teens, and young adults. The Strong Start, Great Future Campaign is helping us raise the 100 million philanthropic dollars we need to make that happen.
The Toronto Kingston Road YMCA is the third Centre of Community of the planned ten. Our Vanauley Street YMCA opened last winter, and our Cooper Koo Family Cherry St. YMCA will open in spring 2016. By 2018, the new Kingston Road YMCA will be up and running, helping us improve the health and wellbeing of residents in several nearby neighbourhoods.
Our research shows families living in this area can't easily access health-promoting services. The nearest community and fitness centres have to be driven to. The Kingston Road YMCA has been conveniently located to better serve families living in East York, Birch Cliff, Danforth Village, Riverdale, Leslieville, and the Beaches.
The Kingston Road YMCA will provide these families with enriching activities they can enjoy together. By bringing a range of diverse services together in one place, this Centre of Community will promote social involvement and improve health in mind, body, and spirit.
Local residents have been providing us with their input on the project since 2012, allowing us to tailor our offerings to their specific needs. Based on their ongoing requests, this new, 60 000 square foot YMCA will feature a gym, indoor aquatic centre, and group fitness spaces. Most importantly, community members told us they wanted a social space where friends and family members could share quality time. We've made sure to include plenty of inclusive and welcoming gathering spaces where people can build connections and relationships with each other.
And as that community changes, we're prepared to change too. Right now, we're building relationships with local residents in the hopes they will continue to share their needs with us in the future. After we open our doors, we're excited to keep evolving in response to feedback from our community members.
Every moment a child feels left out or unsupported is a roadblock on her path to success. Kids need a positive start in order to grow into healthy, happy adults. The Kingston Road YMCA Centre of Community will give youth the resources they need to learn, play, grow, and follow their dreams. By helping kids reach their potential, we're not only strengthening our current communities; we're also investing in a healthier future for everyone in the Greater Toronto Area.
Why Now?
We've envisioned this state-of-the-art centre as one part of our Strong Start, Great Future initiative. By building 10 new YMCAs across the GTA, we're getting closer to fulfilling our vision of making Toronto home to the healthiest children, teens, and young adults. The Strong Start, Great Future Campaign is helping us raise the 100 million philanthropic dollars we need to make that happen.
The Toronto Kingston Road YMCA is the third Centre of Community of the planned ten. Our Vanauley Street YMCA opened last winter, and our Cooper Koo Family Cherry St. YMCA will open in spring 2016. By 2018, the new Kingston Road YMCA will be up and running, helping us improve the health and wellbeing of residents in several nearby neighbourhoods.
Why Here?
Our research shows families living in this area can't easily access health-promoting services. The nearest community and fitness centres have to be driven to. The Kingston Road YMCA has been conveniently located to better serve families living in East York, Birch Cliff, Danforth Village, Riverdale, Leslieville, and the Beaches.
The Kingston Road YMCA will provide these families with enriching activities they can enjoy together. By bringing a range of diverse services together in one place, this Centre of Community will promote social involvement and improve health in mind, body, and spirit.
Local residents have been providing us with their input on the project since 2012, allowing us to tailor our offerings to their specific needs. Based on their ongoing requests, this new, 60 000 square foot YMCA will feature a gym, indoor aquatic centre, and group fitness spaces. Most importantly, community members told us they wanted a social space where friends and family members could share quality time. We've made sure to include plenty of inclusive and welcoming gathering spaces where people can build connections and relationships with each other.
Virginia Dimoglou, the Assistant General Manager of the Kingston Road YMCA, is a resident in the neighbourhood herself. She recognizes the importance of providing communities with the services they want and need.
“We’re hoping that we can involve the local community in real decisions that will have a real impact,” she said. “We want to create together something that’s positive, and give something back to the community.”
And as that community changes, we're prepared to change too. Right now, we're building relationships with local residents in the hopes they will continue to share their needs with us in the future. After we open our doors, we're excited to keep evolving in response to feedback from our community members.
Why Wait?
Every moment a child feels left out or unsupported is a roadblock on her path to success. Kids need a positive start in order to grow into healthy, happy adults. The Kingston Road YMCA Centre of Community will give youth the resources they need to learn, play, grow, and follow their dreams. By helping kids reach their potential, we're not only strengthening our current communities; we're also investing in a healthier future for everyone in the Greater Toronto Area.
