The City of Saskatoon has opted not to proceed with an agreement to hand operation of the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre over to the Saskatoon YMCA. “After carefully evaluating all options, including potential partnerships and engaging in discussions with the Saskatoon YMCA and CUPE 59, city administration determined that continuing with a municipal operating model for Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre best meets our objectives at this time,” Celene Anger, general manager of community services told CTV News in an emailed statement. Saskatoon has been in partnership talks with the YMCA since at least 2022, when city councillors approved a recommendation to work with the non-profit to develop a new, as of yet unfunded, east side leisure centre. The two became further entwined in 2024, when the city bought the YMCA’s flagship downtown building for $8.4 million. The city aims to demolish the 1969 brutalist structure to make way for a future convention centre, part of the elusive downtown arena development. As renovations of the shuttered Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre picked up steam in 2025, city council signaled it was interested in bringing in the YMCA as operating partner once it reopens. The news didn’t go over well with the civic employees’ union. CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson told CTV News at the time that CUPE 59 members were alarmed to see signs the city was trying to get out of the business of operating its own leisure centres. “The reality is publicly owned and publicly delivered public services are always the most efficient and effective form of delivery of those services,” he said. On Friday, CUPE 59 applauded the city’s decision to keep Harry Bailey “in public hands.” “This victory sends a strong message to towns and cities across the province: we will fight privatization wherever it appears, and we will win,” Peterson said in a news release on June 12. “People value public services. We will continue fighting for high-quality public services that benefit communities and create good, local jobs.” Saskatoon YMCA CEO DeeAnn Mercier told CTV News she believes the non-profit could deliver cost-effective programming. “We believe the Y is well positioned to deliver safe, reliable aquatics service and strong programming—grounded in decades of aquatics operations experience—while delivering value for taxpayers," she said in an emailed statement. “While we’re disappointed, our mission and commitment to Saskatoon remain unchanged: helping people thrive through health, wellness, and community connection.” The City of Saskatoon says it will continue exploring potential partnership opportunities with the Y, including the possible operation of the future east side leisure centre. “These conversations reflect the city’s broader commitment to exploring strategic partnerships that enhance recreation services, expand community access and respond to the evolving needs of a growing city, while aligning with the operating model of the YMCA.” Mercier says a proposal concerning the future east side leisure centre is expected to be tabled at City Council later this month.
