CEO of YMCA in Regina says organization here to stay

The head of the YMCA in Regina says the organization will remain a community presence.

Steve Compton said he spoke to staff Monday night, when the Y announced it would close two of its locations.

“We wanted to really stress that our Northwest health and fitness facility will stay open. Over 500 licensed child-care spots will still be continuing in Regina and Moose Jaw. Our before- and after-school programs, our youth leadership programs and charitable work, all those things will continue,” Compton told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday.

“So (this is) a long way, a long way from the Y being out of the community. It’s going to look different, but it’s definitely going to continue and we’re going to work our way through this situation as well.”

Compton said the YMCA’s daycare will continue to operate downtown “for a while” until the association finds a suitable location to which to move. The Y was near the end of its lease for the east building.

He said the YMCA is more than a building and will continue to meet community needs.

“We’re not going away, but we’ll certainly be back and building in the community and meeting needs where they are,” he said. “In the meantime, I really hope people will come with us on this journey with our Northwest YMCA.”