City to give Y land

06/21/2005

Can build future home next to Earl Haig Park

BY MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

The YM-YWCA has the green light to proceed with its dream of building a permanent home next to Earl Haig Park.

Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday to deed to the Y – for a nominal $1 sum – a 4.5-acre parcel of city land that contains the Go Kart track beside Earl Haig Park, south of the civic centre, off Market Street South.

The Y will assume all costs associated with the transfer and the construction of the new facility.

Council was told the move will allow the Y board to start construction sometime late next year, once a fundraising campaign is well along.

Until the new permanent home is ready, the Y will operate most programs at its transitional Family Program Centre site that is being build in the former Work Wear building at Wellington and Clarence streets.

That project is expected to be ready sometime in August, when the Y must finally vacate its longstanding building on Queen Street.

“I think this is very exciting,” said Coun. Marguerite Ceschi-Smith of the new permanent spot.

“Having the Y at this place as a permanent site will serve Eagle Place, East Ward and West Brant.”

Coun. Larry Kings said in an interview that the location is still near the downtown and is central to the southern area of the city and the clientele that most uses the affordable services of the non-profit organization.

He dispelled complaints that in giving land to the Y the city is “unfairly” helping the organization in competition with private fitness and other clubs.

“It’s a different kind of organization with a charitable status,” the councillor said. “It serves a part of the community that otherwise wouldn’t have access to those services. It will also increase the range of amenities in the area.”

The Y had to deal with two hurdles in choosing Market South location:


The land is in the area of an old municipal garbage dump, which forced the organization to conduct environmental testing at its expense;

And the spot is in a floodplain ara.

Ceschi-Smith said the testing demonstrated the Y will have no environmental problem. However, because of the floodplain designation, the site cannot offer a day-care centre.

Instead, it will continue to be offered at the Family Program Centre.