The YMCA of the Central Okanagan surpassed its goal during its recent expansion project fundraising campaign. They had hoped to raise $5 million and raised roughly $5.23 million, according to a Y press release. This was later raised to $5.34 million as a result of a last-minute gift from Telus. They will now go ahead with the proposed 18,000-square-foot expansion of the building, the press release said. "The YMCA-YWCA set a campaign fundraising goal of $5 million on the estimated $5.7-million expansion cost," said fundraising campaign chairwoman Anna Hunt-Binkley. "We are ecstatic with the results." The City of Kelowna, which owns the facility and leases it to the Y, contributed a further $2.9 million, the press release said. "The project will include a two-storey, 18,400-square-foot addition on the northern side of the existing ... facility," City of Kelowna building projects manager Joel Shaw said. "The main building design includes a gymnasium, two multi-purpose rooms, an indoor running track, fitness room expansion, office space, meeting room, boiler replacement, pool dehumidifier, electrical service upgrade and civic works." The expansion also received $1 million from the federal government as part of the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. "This is truly a historic occasion for our Y," said Ron Stewardson, chairman of the Y board of directors. "This level of support says a lot about our Y and the impact our programs and services have on the lives of those in our community." Organizers said the Y serves an average of 600 people per day, and the proposed new children‘s centre, youth zone, track, gym and "preventive health and fitness space" will allow the Y to double that number. City council will be responsible for awarding a construction contract to build the expansion, Shaw said. An employee in the city department of utility and building projects said the contract has not yet been awarded. Top of Page
