Written by Ted Clarke
Citizen staff
|
|
Thursday, 05 November 2009 |
If you like using the racquetball and squash courts at the Prince George Family Y, you’re not going to like this.
Those courts are about to be demolished, starting Dec. 4, to make way for a youth and family recreation area.
The $300,000, 5,000-square-foot renovation, scheduled to be complete by March 1, 2010, is geared toward getting kids more active. A climbing wall, a high-ceiling indoor playground, an area for interactive fitness games, a meeting area, new equipment and expanded floor space for the Y’s existing weight-training facility will be included in the renovation.
“We are removing the racquetball and squash courts from the facility,” said Mark Miller, the chief executive officer of the Prince George Family Y.
“We’re well-aware that some of our members have used the courts for quite some time, but the reality is, the use has very much declined over the years to the point where it’s not sufficient to keep it going.”
Miller said the courts are booked only 10 or 11 per cent of the available time throughout the course of the year and even when they are being used, each of the two racquetball and two squash courts can accommodate a maximum of only four players.
“We’re not a sports-specific organization,” said Miller.
“Our options are limited as far as how we can renovate and (the squash and racquetball courts) take up a significant portion of our current facility for a very small percentage of our membership that actually utilizes that space. We’re certainly aware it does displace the racquet sports players, but we’re confident there are other locations in the community that serves that sports-specific need.
“Our view is we can utilize that space and fill it with many other people who are involved in everything from climbing programs to youth-leadership programs and youth-activity programs.”
The new development is part of the YMCA’s strategic plan to focus more on children and families, which addresses the need to get more kids involved in physical activities.
“Certainly we have issues within our community with childhood obesity and other issues, and we really feel we’re an organization that can make a difference in that area,” Miller said. “We want our facility to be a place where a family of all ages can come to - something for seniors,
something mom and dad can do and bring the kids.”
Statistics Canada reports estimate 50 per cent of the population of kids aged 5-17 are not active enough for basic healthy development. In addition, 35 per cent of youth are overweight or obese and the chances increase when more time is spent watching TV, playing video games or on computers. StatsCan found 26.5 per cent of parents indicate the condition of their child’s health is their main source of stress.
A YMCA study found that when kids participate in Y programs, their health, self-esteem and likelihood of a positive future improves.
“This type of renovation is being done across the country in a number of areas, and we didn’t enter into the decision without a lot of consideration for the community and the membership as a whole,” said Miller. “In all cases it’s been extremely beneficial to the community and they’ve seen significant increases in Y membership, particularly in youth and family memberships.”
 |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 November 2009 )
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
