Another southwestern Ontario YMCA branch prepares to shutter

Another branch of the YMCA is closing within a week, expect for its daycare centre. CTV London’s Sean Irvine reports on the impact.

Another branch of the YMCA will close in our region within a week, except for its daycare centre.

The Woodstock facility will shutter its doors effective September 30th.

Since the early 1960s, the branch has been a central hub for fitness, wellness and childcare.

But as times changed, the aging facility became underutilized and costly to maintain.

“Slowly but surely, members are migrating away, and now it’s becoming quieter and quieter,” acknowledged member Dave Shakespeare.

The decline accelerated this summer after confirmation that the branch—except its daycare centre—will close Sept. 30.

The reasons mimic those given for the closure of London’s Bob Hayward Y branch in 2023 – aging facilities, private health club competition, and a membership roll of just 300.

“It is true that in 1961, other health and fitness options from the private sector weren’t available. And so that’s a factor that comes into play,” said Andrew Lockie, the CEO of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.

The closure is a particular blow for swimmers in Woodstock. Although the YMCA pool never reopened after COVID-19, the community also recently lost its Lions outdoor pool.

“It’s so sad. The aquatic centre is now the only swimming facility in the city of Woodstock,” Councillor Mark Schadenburg told CTV News London.

“It’s an indoor facility for children’s lessons and for family swim time.”

Schadenburg, who voted to rehabilitate the Lions Pool, wanted the Y to stick around. But not at all costs.

“For the city of Woodstock to assist them (YMCA) and their aquatics program, it wasn’t going to be monetarily something that made sense.”

Still, Lockie holds out hope for a return one day.

“I still hope there will be. And that in the future, a new era will begin for health and fitness with the YMCA in Woodstock. I’m hopeful for that outcome.”

So is Dave Shakespeare.

“I really, really enjoy the Y. And I would become a member overnight if there was a way to open here again, for sure.”

But with the current building soon to be on the market, a brand-new facility is likely the only option for a return.

The closest YMCA’s in the interim are in Brantford, London and Stratford.