The YMCA of Central East Ontario celebrated another significant contribution to the new Centre for Life in Belleville on Wednesday.
The ALVA Foundation has gifted $100,000 to the Community Building Campaign for the new Y being built on Bridge Street West.
President and CEO of YMCA of Central East Ontario, David Allen calls it a great match.
“The YMCA Centre for Life resonates with them, particularly our work with young people and youth. When we met we could really feel that there was a synergy there. There was a belief in what we do and we’re just so thankful.”
The ALVA Foundation is a private family charity founded by Foundation Board Chair Breanne Mathers’ great grandparents.
She says she and her sister Rebecca felt a connection to the Y.
“This year is our 60th anniversary of the ALVA Foundation and so Rebecca and I wanted to go together and, kind of, be able to make a bigger impact. And we thought what’s better than a local, capital plan such as this and an opportunity to make an impact for many years to come. We both have had experiences at the YMCA that have been very important to us.”
Mathers says they are proud to carry on their great grandparents’ legacy.
“So they wanted to encourage us to go out and find places and support places that we think are doing great work. And, especially, each one of us on the board of directors are spread across Canada and we each tend to pick places that are in our local community because we’re wanting to invest in the places that we live in.”
Allen says the Community Building Campaign has now raised $7.6 million of its $9 million goal.
Donations had lulled for a while but are now starting to pick up again.
“We had slowed down quite a bit because there was no activity happening. So now you can see the shovels in the ground, there’s a hole, there’s concrete being poured. So people are now seeing this is happening.”
The $17.5 million project has also received $8,997,000 from the federal government, $7,497,000 from the province, and $1 million from the City of Belleville.
Spring 2027 is the target opening date for the Centre for Life.
To learn more about the capital campaign or make a donation, click here.
