Bringing essential services to our dense downtown community
As the downtown King-Spadina neighbourhood ballooned — growing thirty-fold since 1996 — essential programs and services couldn’t keep up. The City of Toronto identified a shortage of healthy infrastructure to support this dense community — a strain that will only intensify as the neighbourhood grows to its projected 40,000 residents by 2022.
The new McDonald Family Y will help fill this gap, co-locating relevant programs for easy access all under one roof.
Snapshot of neighbourhood needs
Compared to the rest of the GTA, people living near the McDonald Family Y tend to be younger, live alone, earn lower incomes, or struggle with unemployment.
52%
of households are individuals living alone
28%
of residents are 20to 28 years old
17%
of residents earn under $20,000
6-7%
unemployment levels in the neighbourhood
The new 54,000-square-foot McDonald Family YMCA will support our growing neighbourhood, especially as we recover from the pandemic, by delivering:
- Youth Leadership Development programs that set the next generation up for success
- Day camps that build confidence in future trailblazers
- Health & Fitness programs for people of all ages and abilities
- Volunteer and employment opportunities that can help launch young people’s careers
As part of the Waterworks revitalization project, we will work in tandem with other community organizations to bring the neighbourhood valuable supports, including affordable housing units, a public food hall, and an improved St. Andrew’s Playground. And we will complement and support partners already working in the neighbourhood, from Eva’s Phoenix, to the Vanauley St. YMCA, which provides emergency shelter and wraparound supports for youth experiencing homelessness.
Give more people their chance to shine
As part of our Strong Start, Great Future Capital Campaign, The McDonald Family Y will play a critical role in our neighbourhood's recovery from COVID-19, helping us rebuild a stronger, more connected home for our community members.
To help shape a brighter future, please contact:
Ali Kashani Senior Director, Capital Campaign 647-537-4400 Ali.Kashani@ymcagta.org
