Van Raay donating $3.75M to new YMCA
DONATION FOR NEW YMCA IN ATB CENTRE
The Lethbridge YMCA has received its largest single donation ever to kickstart its new community campaign.
On Thursday, it was announced that local philanthropist Cor Van Raay had donated $3.75 million to the Lethbridge YMCA.
Van Raay said he has been a supporter of the YMCA for a number of years and decided he wanted to get involved after hearing the organization was going to be involved in phase two of the ATB Centre.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to spend some of my money,” he said.
The gift puts the YMCA more than halfway to its community campaign goal of $6 million.
The money will be used to purchase equipment and contribute to capital expenses as the YMCA expands in 2019 as operators of the ATB Centre phase two.
The money will also be used to expand community programming, including the development of a child-care centre and programs and services for youths.
Lethbridge YMCA will establish a legacy fund to allow the organization to reinvest in capital upgrades and equipment replacement as well as invest in new programs in response to community needs.
Jennifer Petracek-Kolb, CEO for the Lethbridge YMCA, said the donation will support program growth and equipment purchases for the ATB Centre phase two.
“This is the largest donation this YMCA has ever seen,” she said. “I do believe it’s the largest donation given by an individual to a YMCA in Canada.
“This is an important turning point for this YMCA,” she said. “It means so much to us. It means so much to this community.”
Ashley Matthews, project coordinator for the ATB Centre, said
the second phase of the building, under construction, will feature a number of amenities from the aquatic centre to the fitness centre, as well as multipurpose spaces and youth and daycare areas.
Matthews said the donation was good news for the community.
“Whatever is good for the YMCA is good for the community,” he said. “We’re really pleased we were able to be part of this and accommodate the needs of Cor Van Raay as far as providing naming rights to the YMCA. “It’s a great day for Lethbridge.” He said the facility is expected to open in 2019.
As a result of the donation, the building will be named the “Cor Van Raay YMCA.” Van Raay said it was important for him to be able to give to a project that would directly improve the community.
“This is a community affair,” he said.
“I thought this would have more of an impact on the community.
“And I’m going to get my name on the signage.”
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