Fencing and traffic barriers put up at the old Stafford YMCA location in Lethbridge

By Lara Fominoff

End of an era – City of Lethbridge takes over ownership of vacated YMCA building

Apr 23, 2019 | 1:23 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As of noon Tuesday, April 23, the City of Lethbridge took over ownership of the vacated downtown YMCA building on Stafford Drive, as fences and traffic barriers were brought in. The City already owns the land the structure sits on.

Conrad Westerson, City Facility Services manager, says over the next couple of days, fencing will be installed around the property and part of the parking lot will be blocked off, as inspectors begin the task of assessing the building.

“We should be at it for about a week for sure, and then we’ll probably present to council at some point, not too far from now.

“I anticipate that the building is not in the best of shape, and the results of our inspections will tell us what the results should be for that facility.”

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Fencing will go up around the old YMCA – which operated at its Stafford Drive location for more than 50 years

According to feasibility study of the building done in the spring of 2018 and presented to Lethbridge City Council in June, the 37,000 sq. ft. building is aging, and it would be too expensive to complete all the renovations necessary.

The study indicated the repairs would have to be mechanical, electrical and structural. The air handling system, pool filters, plumbing and boilers are all at the end of their life cycle and would require about $2.5 million to be replaced. The roof would also need to be replaced, at an additional cost of up to $1 million.

While council has not yet decided what may be done with the facility, a draft Civic Common Master plan – which is a long-term vision for a four-block area including the YMCA, City Hall, RCMP Building, Old Courthouse, Civic Arena, Senior’s Centre, and Yates Theatre – was presented to the public for feedback in September 2018, and then to City Council as a submission in late October 2018.

The plan, which was about 9 months in the making, was said to guide future development in the area. It includes a ‘civic lane’ which could be used for weekend events, a market plaza, green spaces, and multi-use paths.

Back in September, Urban Revitalization Manager Andrew Malcolm told LNN other structures could be built in place of those like the YMCA. In fact, the draft plan shows a lane, some green space and potentially two smaller buildings in place of the YMCA.

“All buildings have a life span and so we know that a number of the buildings are ageing and would be up for some sort of replacement or renewal within the 20 to 30 years or sooner…it was made very evident that that should be made public or civic, community- focused buildings and not necessary retail, residential or commercial or those types of things.”

However, Malcolm added that there are no definite plans at this point, and it really depends on funding and council’s long-term decisions.

The New Cor Van Raay YMCA, located on the city’s west side, is scheduled to open to the public May 4, 2019.