A long-time member and champion of Orillia’s YMCA called it a ‘sad day’ in August when the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka announced the Peter Street facility would be closing.
But the double-edged sword of the pandemic and the opening of the new Orillia Recreation Centre may not prove fatal for the facility.
Momentum seems to be gaining on a plan to transform the building into a youth services hub.
On Monday night, three city councillors - Jay Fallis, Ralph Cipolla and Tim Lauer - jumped at the opportunity to join a working group tasked with exploring the potential of the idea.
“It’s really exciting to see what the YMCA is looking at possibly doing there,” said Fallis.
Fallis, other members of council and some members of the city’s affordable housing committee attended a Sept. 30 stakeholders meeting organized by Rob Armstrong, the CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.
“It was a really great discussion (and) I really see a lot of potential” in the idea, Fallis said.
The trio of councillors stepped forward after the municipality received a letter from Armstrong looking for city officials to join the working group.
“The YMCA is looking to strike a working group to move forward with creating plans for a youth hub,” said Armstrong in the letter, adding there would also be representation from the Orillia Youth Centre (OYC), Youth Haven Orillia, the affordable housing committee and the Sunshine Youth Senate.
Kevin Gangloff, director of the OYC, applauded the initiative.
“It is incredibly important to have discussions revolving around youth, youth accessing youth services, and viable opportunities to engage and support youth best in our community,” said Gangloff.
“Youth deserve youth-based services and support.”
He said the working group will determine “if plans and ideas can come together around what uses for their current space on Peter Street North might look like. Expansion and growth of the exciting Orillia Youth Centre, transitional housing for youth, youth services, and so forth” are among things being discussed.
Gangloff, who notes the conversation about youth homelessness has been happening for many years, said he is optimistic about the process.
“I think with the people around the table there is certainly a desire to support youth and try and move something forward for the betterment of our community,” said Gangloff.
“Everyone has come to the table for the right reasons.”
While city council doesn’t have any say in the makeup/goals of the working group, Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke suggested officials from Building Hope be involved.
The new facility being constructed on Queen Street will feature a youth wing with nine beds for youth experiencing homelessness.
