The Prince George Family YMCA is seeking $30,000 from the Northern Development Initiative Trust to support a $300,000 upgrade to its Massey Drive facility.
The proposed renovation would include a facelift to the exterior of the building, landscaping, exterior basketball court, lobby and locker room upgrades, play area and cardio equipment replacement.
"We are a charity... and our facility at Massey Drive is key to our charitable work," YMCA chairman Peter Vogt said. "[And] we're the largest childcare provider in the province outside of the Lower Mainland."
Charitable work done by the YMCA includes sponsoring children to attend summer camp, operating youth outreach programs and subsidizing 30 per cent of it's members. The Youth Around Prince (YAP) program alone assisted 10,000 at-risk youth last year, Vogt said.
Family YMCA CEO Mark Miller said the condition of the 35-year-old facility is limiting the Y's ability to generate additional revenue. The facility receives 20,000 visitors per month, he added.
"Our membership is down, but our attendance is more than ever," Miller said.
Miler and Vogt sought city council's support for their request on Monday. Council requested city staff prepare a report, prior to endorsing the request by the YMCA.
