Belleville City Council is to receive an update on the progress of the new YMCA at its meeting on Monday, but they’ll also hear a request.
YMCA of Central East Ontario CEO David Allen is scheduled to give a deputation updating council on plans for the new Centre for Life that will be built in the west end at Bridge and Sidney streets, and he’ll also ask to change the original deal between the organization and the city.
In 2019 the two sides agreed to a land exchange with the YMCA receiving the six-acre building site at the fairgrounds and the city receiving the east end Victoria Avenue property the current facility stands on.
Under the deal, development fees of up to $1 million would be waived for the $22.5 million facility.
On Monday, the city is to receive a letter from Allen asking it to instead consider donating the fairgrounds land to the YMCA and allowing the organization to sell the land the current Y sits on and putting the proceeds towards the Community Building Campaign for the Centre for Life.
Allen says this would alleviate the need for the YMCA to request the city make a cash contribution to the project.
In his letter to the city, Allen says 34% of the $9 million community fundraising goal has already been reached.
The federal government is contributing $8.9 million and the provincial government is providing $7.4 million.
The letter to council is included in Council’s agenda.
Belleville City Council meets Monday at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
