On Tuesday, August 22, The Ontario Trillium Foundation presented the YMCA of Greater Toronto with $98,000 towards the renovation and renewal of the historic West End YMCA building. The facility, which has been serving the West End community for nearly a century, will benefit from $7.5 million of improvements, allowing the YMCA to serve more members, including children and youth, in this diverse and growing community.

This particular grant will go towards a barrier-free community meeting and program space, which will be created as part of a large scale renovation of the building – the first to take place in more than two decades. Members, volunteers, staff and political leaders were on hand at the ceremony and to celebrate the expansion and renovation.

The West End neighbourhood is culturally rich and diverse, but also faces some economic and social challenges. The YMCA, with the efforts of staff, members, volunteers and donors, has been there for nearly 100 years helping to build that community. By creating safe and caring gathering places for youth to come together, the YMCA will continue to meet the needs of a community faced with the challenges of a diverse and growing population and higher than average poverty levels.

The renovations will continue throughout the winter and are scheduled to be complete in spring, 2008.  Read more about the West End YMCA Relaunch including updates, construction plans and the capital campaign.