FAQ

Read below for answers to some of the questions we get asked about a new YMCA in Halifax. If you have a question you would like answered you can fill out a contact form located on the feedback page.

Q: Why does Halifax need the YMCA?
A: For 156 years Your YMCA has been serving the residents of Halifax and surrounding communities. From war time service, to post war programs for men and today through employment services, immigrant programs, health and wellness facilities and programs, child care, camping and youth outreach, Your YMCA has remained an integral service provider in Halifax. Your YMCA provides all residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality with the tools they need to stay healthy in spirit, mind and body. Our mission is to help everyone in our community, regardless of physical ability or financial status, in meeting their full potential.
Q: Why does the YMCA need a new building?
A: A new building will enable us to continue to serve the people of the Halifax Regional Municipality After nearly 60 years of use; our current South Park Street building has aged to a point where it is no longer able to meet the needs of our growing community.
Q: Where will the new YMCA be located?
A: Your new YMCA will be located where the CBC Radio building currently resides (Sackville/South Park/Bell Road). This location is easily accessible on foot, by car and public transit
Q: What will the new YMCA feature?
A: The new building will feature an aquatic area with a lane pool, teaching pool and hydrotherapy pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and gymnasium will provide a full range of fitness equipment and ample space for classes, a licensed child care centre, indoor walking/running track, child minding room and community meeting rooms will enable groups to gather in conference rooms and social spaces.
Q: What size pool will the new YMCA have?
A: At this stage in our planning, the YMCA Program Plan includes a 6 lane 25m pool for length swimming with cooler water. A second tank would include a warmer water pool with a variable depth floor that can move from 0 – 6 feet to allow for a multitude of aquatic activities; transitioning from a splash pad to introduce babies and toddlers to an aquatic environment, 2.5 feet for introductory children’s swimming lessons or 6 feet for rehabilitation and aqua fitness classes to name a few scenarios. This type of pool has tremendous versatility for programming for various populations. A third pool will provide hydrotherapy and a place for relaxation.
Q: Will the new YMCA have courts?
A: At this juncture it is still too early to say with certainty what services the new YMCA will provide. Our focus at the moment is on the "outside envelope" of the building and ensuring that work through the proper processes to receive approval for the development from the municipality. Upon approval, we will begin the process of detailed planning on the "inside" of the building. Selection of services included will be based on capital cost, financially viability and greatest benefit to the overall community.
Q: Is there parking?
A: The current plan calls for 375 below grade parking spaces.
Q: Will the operations of the YMCA be affected during construction?
A: As we move further along our development process, the answer to this question will become clearer. There are many variables through the process to know with certainty in these early days how the construction will evolve. However, our goal will be to minimize, if not eliminate, any shutdown for the YMCA’s current operations at the South Park Street location.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: Your new YMCA building will cost approximately $21- $23 million. Through the sale of development, Your YMCA will be anticipating a community capital campaign to cover the funding gap.
Q: How tall will the development be and how can the YMCA afford this?
A: The final height of the development has not yet been determined.
The cost to build a new YMCA Centre of Community is estimated to be approximately $22.0 million. The YMCA, as a charitable, not for profit organization, does not have the resources to fund a project of this magnitude alone.
The YMCA is very fortunate however, to own its South Park Street building and associated lands. This real estate will serve as the legacy to help us build a new YMCA for future generations. Given to this community by YMCA leaders 60 years ago, this real estate is able to help the YMCA create a new legacy for another half century.
Using the estimated market value of the YMCA’s property on South Park Street, The YMCA is working in partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada and its property located immediately adjacent to the South Park YMCA, on a joint development application for the shared lands.
The purpose of this joint development application is to meet the intentions of HRM by Design and generate enough capital financial resources to create an attainable fundraising goal for The YMCA to build a $22.0M building. This gap will be filled through a capital fundraising campaign consisting of donations from individuals, businesses and government.
To ensure the fundraising gap is realistic and attainable, adequate financial resources must be generated through this development model. The development will need to incorporate density that results in developed height over the current CBC/Radio-Canada building, in excess of the maximum height allowable under the current Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (DHSMPS) for this corner. Without this approved density, the fundraising goal may prove unattainable.
To this end, The YMCA and CBC will be requesting a site specific plan amendment to be reviewed by staff and elected city officials and ultimately approved by HRM Council.
Upon approval, The YMCA would issue a Request for Proposal for a private development partner who in turn would build a mixed used development to include a new YMCA for the community.
Q: Will this building block the views from Citadel hill?
A: No.
Our computer model shows that we will not have a negative impact on the view from Citadel Hill or surrounding areas.
Q: Will this building cast a shadow over the Public Gardens?
A: No.
Our computer model shows that we will not be casting a shadow over the Public Garden. This development will largely be in the shadow of existing buildings.

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth

South Park YMCA

1565 South Park Street, Halifax NS B3J 2L2
902.423.9622 - www.ymcahalifax.ca