From the City of Red Deer

Council to review budget for Northside Community Centre

At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, Council will review the operating budget for the Northside Community Centre.  The City has entered into an Operating Agreement with the YMCA of Northern Alberta that will see the YMCA lease and operate the facility when it opens in July 2019.

“The YMCA approached us earlier this year about establishing a presence in the community,” said Shelley Gagnon, Recreation, Parks and Culture Manager.  “As a result, we explored an operating model that would see them operate the Northside Community Centre.”

Over the past two years, the design for the Northside Community Centre has been refined and the facility will include multi-purpose space that can act as both gymnasium and special event gathering areas, culture programming space, flexible office/meeting rooms, fitness studio, and kitchen teaching space, interactive technology and play space, and a youth drop in area.

As construction nears completion and the building set to open, Council will consider the annual operating budget for the facility: $848,685.

“With the Operating Agreement with the YMCA in place and construction well underway, the budget is the final piece of the puzzle,” said Gagnon. “We’re looking forward to getting theNorthside Community Centre open in July to serve the residents of North Red Deer and thebroader community.”

More information regarding the agreement with the YMCA, including in-person media availability with The City of Red Deer and YMCA representatives, will be available at the October 29 Council meeting, or see the FAQ.

The City of Red Deer has entered into an agreement with the YMCA of Northern Alberta that will see the YMCA operate the Northside Community Centre.

1. Who is the YMCA of Northern YMCA?With over 2,000 volunteers and staff working together across Northern Alberta who believe in helping children and families reach their full potential, the YMCA of Northern Alberta is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community.

   For over 111 years they have cared for kids, shaped leaders for tomorrow and helped generations of people come together to find support, get healthier and make friends for life. Their mission is to create life-enhancing opportunities for the growth and development of all people in spirit, mind and body.

   As one of 47 Member Association across Canada, the YMCA of Northern Alberta currently provides programs and services in Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Wood Buffalo.

2. What type or programs and services will be offered at the Northside Community Centre?Programming will be determined by the YMCA, but the Northside Community Centre features multi- purpose space that can act as both gymnasium and special event gathering areas, culture programming space, flexible office/meeting rooms, fitness studio, and kitchen teaching space, interactive technology and play space, and a youth drop in area.

   The YMCA will operate the facility seven days a week, including holidays. The programs and services that will be offered assume that:

   • ?  The Centre will be a gathering place for community
   • ?  The facility will host a mix of local residents, residents from other areas of the city and user groups
   • ?  The schedule will be responsive to needs and evolve over time
   • ?  The Centre will serve individuals, families, agencies and rental groups
   • ?  Programming will serve the unique needs of the surrounding communities
   • ?  In order to offer a broad range of programming options without diminishing attendance at other City facilities, programming will be complementary especially with the GH Dawe Community Centre given its close proximity
   • ?  Programming will serve and be welcoming to every person – all ages, backgrounds, and circumstance.

3. Why was the YMCA selected to operate the Northside Community Centre?The Northside Community Centre was originally envisioned to be a City-operated facility, but the YMCA approached The City in the spring and expressed interest in establishing a presence in the community through the possible operation of the Northside Community Centre. Over the summer, Administration explored this operating model, which led to the negotiation of the agreement.

   The City of Red Deer and the YMCA of Northern Alberta are strongly aligned through their focus on healthy, vibrant, inclusive communities where children, adults and families can thrive. The YMCA works with children, youth, adult and families at all ages and stages of their lives, to help them develop and achieve their potential. As a result, they increase their overall health and wellness, develop leadership abilities, and increase their motivation and resilience. Their participation in the YMCA contributes to an increased sense of connection and belonging to each other, to their YMCA community and ultimately to their local and global community.

4. How will this benefit the community?In addition to the strong alignment between the YMCA and The City of Red Deer when it comes tobuilding healthy, vibrant, inclusive communities for children, adults and families, the YMCA’sproposed services and programs for the Northside Community Centre directly align with the Recreation Parks and Culture department mandate. They also meet six of the 10 Social Policy Framework Community Goals.

   As a well-known and established organization, the YMCA also brings extensive experience in housing, poverty prevention and reduction, employment services, and child care, that has the potential to extend beyond the Northside Community Centre.

   Further, the YMCA’s service delivery model is built on a foundation of fostering social change. With intentional program design to address community needs and risks, the YMCA is able to respond with a broad spectrum of opportunities to deliver social outcomes.

5. When will the Northside Community Centre open?Construction is underway and we expect the facility to open by July 1.