BY Susan Gamble
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

There are two things that are making this goodbye bearable for the women: one is the unswerving belief that once you’re part of the Y, you never really leave it, and the other is the heavenly thought of going to a better place.

That’s the new – although temporary – Y building just blocks away on Clarence Street.

The plan is to settle in the transitional site at the old Work Wear building for several years while work progresses on a $12-million facility on Market Street South.


Down at the new site, tradesmen working with a process called Dryvit are finalizing the shape of a layer of Styrofoam on the exterior of the building. The foam helps insulate the building and is topped with mesh netting, concrete and a fine stucco.

Everyone liked the elegant look so much that it’s been incorporated into the 6,000 square-foot strength and conditioning area where the other great attribute is a huge wall of windows.

“It’s going to be just awesome in here,” raved Romanenko.

Outside, as the workers smooth the Styrofoam shell, creating a flurry of white “snow” that falls around them, Steve Charest surveys the 18,300 square-foot project with delight.

Charest isn’t just a member of the Y and its board, he’s the developer behind the project which combines two of his passions: renovating brownfield sites and the Y.

“I love this project. It gives back to the community at no cost to the community,” said Charest enthusiastically.