Sault YMCA supporters gathering steam

Sault residents rally to save local YMCA Members of a new social media group dedicated to saving Sault YMCA from closure gathered outside the facility Monday to show their support.

Nearly a hundred people dedicated to saving the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA from closure gathered in front of the facility in a showing of support on Monday.

Sault YMCA Rally Almost 100 people dedicated to saving the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA from closure gathered in front of the facility in a showing of support on April 22, 2024. (Mike McDonald/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The gathering comes in the wake of last week’s announcement that the YMCA is set to close next month due to financial constraints.

People of all ages and walks of life participated in the peaceful rally, as honks of support from passing vehicles galvanized the crowd.”

“I grew up in this building and so many other teens in our community, even today, are still growing up here,” said rally organizer Ali Dennie.

“A lot of people come here just to hang out, a lot of people come because they don’t have a better place to go. There’s so much programming, and the daycare is here, there’s so, so, so many aspects of what the YMCA brings to our community.”

The Facebook group Save our YMCA (Sault Ste. Marie) launched only a few days and already has nearly three thousand members.

Meantime, a report on the future of the YMCA is expected to be presented to city council next week.