YMCA cuts 110 positions in southwest Ontario

The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario has eliminated more than 100 positions across its regional branches, the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency says.

The layoffs come amid dipping revenues and lower staffing requirements since fewer people are participating in YMCA programs.

“During the pandemic, people are using our facilities less and the safety standards, while necessary to contain COVID-19, limit the amount and type of programming we can offer,” said the YMCA'S Elyse Sheare.

In total, 110 positions are being cut, or about five per cent of the YMCA'S workforce in the region.

Across Southwestern Ontario, the YMCA has locations in London, St. Thomas, Strathroy, Woodstock and Chatham-kent, among others.

In September, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario announced the permanent closure of Windsor's Central Park Athletics at 3402 Grand Marais Rd. E., citing the impact of COVID-19.

It was just four years ago, in October 2016, that the YMCA opened its Health, Fitness and Aquatic branch at Central Park Athletics in Windsor — the result of major renovation and relocation from the downtown YMCA building at 500 Victoria Ave.

At the time, the move was hailed as the start of a new era for the YMCA in Windsor: the downtown pool had been around for half a century, and the YMCA'S history in the region dates back to 1868.

On Tuesday, Sheare said Windsor and Essex County would not be further impacted by the latest cuts.

“No impact there with respect to the changes that were announced,” Sheare said.

In its latest announcement, the YMCA wouldn't specify which branches were impacted by the cuts.

“A number of our staff support multiple locations in a variety of ways, in some cases across several communities and programs, so unfortunately it is not as simple as listing specific branches, staff levels and roles linked to each one,” Sheare said.

Most of the jobs impacted were part-time roles.