News

Dear YMCA Members,

I am writing to you to announce some important changes that will be coming to the YMCA in the near future. As you have likely observed, our facility at 570 York Street has been seeing a nice increase in attendance and usage by our membership. The additional traffic puts pressure on some of the equipment and space that we have available, while leaving some amenities underutilized. As such, we have been surveying use of space and community interests in our offerings at the YMCA. It brings me great excitement to share the following investments and changes that will take effect in the near future.

• December 2023 – We will be opening our inflatable Aqua Park features for Weekend Family Swims, Child Care programs, Holidays and Special Events. Updates to the aquatics schedule will reflect the availability of the aqua park.
• February 2024 – We will be opening the Fredericton North YMCA at Willie O’Ree Place. Your current membership will provides full access to a second location in the city featuring brand new equipment, and some additional functional training equipment.
• March 2024 – We will permanently close Squash Court #1 and convert the space to an Indoor Play Space for children and youth. The space will include a brand new 4 level play structure and some of the current gym tots equipment. The space will be used by YMCA Child Care, After School programs and Members during Open Periods. Drop-In Guests will be able to participate in Open periods as well. Squash Court #2 will remain open for member use but may be temporarily closed during a 12 day construction period from March 27- April 8. Please follow the regular booking process for the squash court.
• March 2024 – The M&M Studio will be used exclusively for Group Fitness, Wellness Programs and Stretch. All Gym tots and Child Care activities will be located in the new Indoor Play Space.

All of these decisions reflect the significant work that is being done by the YMCA team and Volunteer Board of Directors to ensure we maximize the use of space, opportunity for memberships engagement and community development.

As always, your feedback questions and concerns are welcome so feel free to drop me a line.

With sincere gratitude,

Darcy Delaney – President and CEO

darcy.delaney@ymcafredericton.org

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saturday, September 30

Please note that the YMCA will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and there will be NO registered programs and NO Group Fitness classes on this day. Please visit us online here for the pool schedule. 

The YMCA will resume regular hours on Sunday, October 1 & Monday, October 2 and all registered programs and group fitness classes will run as usual.

YMCA Statement for National Day for Truth and Reconcilation 2023

Volunteer Opportunity – Join the YMCA Endowment Board

Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? If you have a background in accounting or financial management, you will be an incredible asset to the board. The role of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) for the Endowment Fund is to provide leadership and oversight of the activities of the Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund Inc. (the “Fund”). The purpose of the Fredericton YMCA Endowment Fund Inc. is to grow and invest funds. The investment returns will provide for the future growth and stability of the Fredericton YMCA, and to further the mission of the Fredericton YMCA.

Apply Now!

YMCA Canada Statement for National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2023

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is available to survivors and their families at any time. Please call 1-800-721-0066 or 1-866-925-4419 to access the 24-7 crisis line. You can find additional support via the First Nations and Inuit HopeForWellness.ca Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth can text 686868 for access to Indigenous volunteer crisis responders (via Crisis Text Line powdered by Kids Help Phone) and adults can access this same service by messaging 741741.
Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day, YMCAs in Canada reflect on our responsibilities as treaty people with respect to the devastating legacy of the residential school system.
Since 2021, the uncovering of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools has brought widespread attention to what many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people already knew: thousands of Indigenous children perished and were harmed in the Canadian Indian residential school system. The graves raised many questions about how a society takes responsibility for the suffering inflicted by its own institutions upon vulnerable children.
At YMCA Canada, we recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing process, and we must be an active participant. This past year we identified that Indigenous People are under-represented on our national board of directors, and we have initiated a recruitment process to change this. To mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, YMCA Canada held webinars this month that amplified Indigenous voices, as we continue to explore how we can meaningfully advance our truth and reconciliation journey.
The YMCA continues on our path to deepen our understanding of the ongoing effects of residential schools and how we can act in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Wherever you are on your path, we hope today you take another step forward toward being an active participant in reconciliation.

Please join us for the YMCA of Fredericton Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday, May 30 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A virtual link will be sent out at a later time. Please RSVP to Darcy Delaney at darcy.delaney@ymcafredericton.org

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Fredericton, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Darcy Delaney as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Fredericton effective on Monday, January 10^th, 2022.

Darcy has spent the past 15 years working at and running youth and recreational camps, including two years as Executive Director of YMCA Florida’s Wewa Outdoor Center and five years as Executive Director of Mansfield Outdoor Center in Ontario. Within these roles and others, Darcy has implemented rigorous and clinical evaluations, grown and diversified revenue, led capital redevelopments, and established programs to engage and serve low-income youth.

A keen outdoorsman with a business mindset and significant not-for-profit experience, Darcy brings a distinctive skill set and expertise. Darcy holds a degree in geography with further studies throughout his career in environmental studies and business leadership and strategic planning.

Darcy is an enthusiastic and authentic leader and has illustrated his commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity to maintain and strengthen the YMCA presence in our community.

Darcy’s appointment is the result of an intensive four-month search process the Board of Directors undertook with the guidance and support of Y Canada.  The CEO Search Committee was comprised of YMCA of Fredericton volunteers with past and present Operations and Endowment Board members: Peter Clark, Lisa LePage, Don Roy, Linda Speedy, and myself.  The thorough process involved a National job posting and the assessment and screening of 34 candidates for the position.

More information on Darcy’s contact coordinates will be available soon.  The Board wishes to acknowledge the diligent work of Michelle Paquin as the Association’s Interim President and CEO over the last five months and are pleased that Michelle will be continuing in her leadership role as the Association’s CFO; a role that she has performed in admirably on behalf of our YMCA even as she undertook the additional Interim responsibilities.

Please join me in thanking Michelle for her dedication and leadership and also in welcoming Darcy to the YMCA of Fredericton community.

Ben Coles
Board Chair
YMCA of Fredericton