Gravenhurst to enter into a new agreement with the YMCA

The agreement paves the way for increased programming by the Y

Gravenhurst Council received a proposed agreement with the YMCA, in the June 17, 2025, meeting.

The Town’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Shawna Patterson summarized the terms to Council, which involve changing the initial 2-year agreement to 5 years.

She added that staff aims to strengthen the agreement and minimize the financial risk to the Town, such as capping the $30,000 Operating Grant Fee.

Other goals include helping the YMCA with their low retention rate, which includes expanding operations, aligning programs between the facility and the Town, and ensuring adequate subsidy.

Patterson said, “We are hoping to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness with the Y as well, including expanding their public offerings during Christmas break, March break – so allowing more residents to be able to use the Y without having a membership and doing more operations for the community.”

She added that Town initiatives will focus more on leisure or unique programs not offered by the YMCA to reach better alignment between them.

She confirmed that negotiations are progressing well, and the agreement is currently being reviewed by the YMCA’s lawyer.

Financial implications to the Town, other than the Operating Grant Fee, “is $320,000, but that is covered in the utilities,” said Patterson. She added, “So, we cover heat, hydro, water. Any capital assets that are brick and mortar are ours as well. They are responsible for their own capital replacement costs for their own operations.”

Other efforts are aimed at “mitigating risks and improve the facility for the entire community,” continued Patterson. She said staff is comfortable with a 5-year agreement, which will include an annual review and corrections as needed.

Councillor, Randy Jorgensen, clarified, “So all we’re looking at is a $30,000 excess of the money that’s spent on the utilities.”

Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, said, “I’m pleased to see that they’re going to be doing some programing over the holidays. I think that’s great.”

She added, “It’s still a huge investment for this community in recreation, that building. So, I think they should be doing some recreation and offerings for the community.”