Plans have been scrapped to build a recreation facility seen as a replacement for the shuttered North 性视界传媒 Recreation Centre.

The proposed 性视界传媒 City Centre YMCA will not proceed as planned, according to a joint statement released Wednesday (May 20) by YMCA of Greater Vancouver, the City of 性视界传媒 and SFU.

鈥淓scalating construction costs鈥� are to blame.

The project was to include a YMCA-SFU facility and high-density residential housing on the university鈥檚 性视界传媒 property.

鈥淪ince the project was first conceived by the YMCA and City of 性视界传媒 six years ago, costs have climbed to $75 million,鈥� according to the news release.

In 2017, 性视界传媒 and the YMCA each committed $20 million to the project.

The YMCA was in the preliminary phase of a capital fundraising campaign for the project.

鈥淎ll three partners have been deeply committed to advancing this innovative project to benefit SFU students and the 性视界传媒 City Centre community,鈥� said Stephen Butz, YMCA president and CEO.

鈥淯nfortunately, over the past few years, construction costs have increased dramatically throughout the region to the point that this particular project is no longer feasible.鈥�

The news release is posted to .

Added Butz: 鈥淲e very much appreciate the support of everyone in 性视界传媒 who volunteered to help or donate. Over the coming days we鈥檒l be in touch with donors, stakeholders and supporters to thank them for their commitment to the idea of a YMCA in City Centre.鈥�

鈥� RELATED STORY: North 性视界传媒 rec centre doors closed for good.

In the release, 性视界传媒 Mayor Doug McCallum said the City of 性视界传媒 鈥渞emains committed to providing recreation opportunities to the residents in North 性视界传媒 through the provision of a diverse range of programs at our existing facilities. 性视界传媒 continues to partner with SFU and the YMCA on many positive partnerships that will benefit students and the community.鈥�

Joanne Curry, SFU鈥檚 VP of External Relations, said the university remains committed to providing students with access to health and recreation services in collaboration with the municipality.

鈥淲e are disappointed we cannot proceed with a new facility,鈥� Curry said in the release. 鈥淥ur strong relationship and agreement with City of 性视界传媒 provides our students with opportunities for recreation across 性视界传媒. We will continue our work with YMCA to explore collaborative initiatives to support communities.鈥�

Due to escalating construction costs, plans for a 性视界传媒 City Centre YMCA will not proceed. Since the project was first conceived costs have climbed to $75 million.
Learn more about the project here:

鈥� Greater Vancouver Y (@GreaterVanYMCA)

Last fall, with the complete closure of North 性视界传媒 Recreation Centre set for December 2019 and the building鈥檚 demolition to follow, a plan to build a new YMCA facility in 性视界传媒鈥檚 city centre had gained steam.

The new 性视界传媒 City Centre YMCA was proposed to include amenities similar to those offered at , located in 性视界传媒鈥檚 Panorama area.

A key element was securing a site for the City Centre facility.

鈥淩ight now it鈥檚 all coming down to where the site would be, specifically,鈥� YMCA of Greater Vancouver media rep Kelly Walker Schobel said at the time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 too early to say it would be located there (on the site of the old rec centre), and as we鈥檙e exploring a partnership with SFU that would also become a factor, of course.鈥�

When North 性视界传媒 Recreation Centre closed in December, those who used the facility were directed to programs and services within a four-kilometre radius of the site. In September, the city鈥檚 North 性视界传媒 Sport & Ice Complex opened on property just south of Scott Road SkyTrain station, featuring three ice rinks, a fitness centre and more, but no pool.

Last August, as part of fundraising efforts to build 性视界传媒 City Centre YMCA, the 性视界传媒 Fire Fighters鈥� Charitable Society announced a $60,000 contribution to the project. 鈥淭hese funds bring us another step closer to fulfilling our pledge of $350,000, for the new Y being built in North 性视界传媒,鈥� the organization tweeted at the time.

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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