Here is the official statement from the - TopicsExpress

Here is the official statement from the YMCA. ___________________________________________________________ On behalf of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, I would like to provide you with an update on our progress to bring a new YMCA Centre of Community to Halifax. The YMCA continues to work through negotiations with a selected development partner that will allow us to build a new 70,000-square-foot YMCA Centre of Community on the corner of South Park and Sackville Streets. In spite of the time these negotiations are taking, we remain extremely encouraged with the progress to date and the commitment of the various parties involved. As soon as information is available regarding the successful development partner, we will make a public announcement. As we move forward with plans to build a new YMCA Centre of Community, the South Park YMCA facility will close on May 30, 2014. Based on the state of the aging infrastructure of this facility, it can no longer serve the interests and needs of the community. It is extremely important to us to provide our employees, members, volunteers and child care families with as much notice as possible so they can make future plans and we can provide support to them through this transition. I must acknowledge that this is a time of mixed emotions for our YMCA family; excitement for what the future holds and sadness as we prepare to say good bye to our South Park YMCA facility that we have called home for more than 60 years. I would also like to confirm that the South Park YMCA Child Care Centre will be relocating to Saint Thomas Aquinas Church Community Building at the corner of Oxford and Cornwall Streets. Further information will be shared with child care families and the community as we move forward with our plans to relocate. The YMCA will be looking to you in the coming weeks for your input and participation as we plan to celebrate our past 60+ years at the South Park YMCA facility before beginning this next chapter in our YMCA history. The YMCA remains committed to building healthy communities and will continue to offer programs and services in the areas of Health and Wellness, Employment, Child Care, Residential and Day Camping, Immigrant Programs, and Youth and Leadership Development. I know this announcement may spark additional questions and we encourage you to visit ymcahrm.ns.ca for more information. Bette Watson-Borg President and Chief Executive Officer