Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Ashley Legassic

KAMLOOPS Y

Changes coming to Kamloops Y amid financial strains

Aug 2, 2019 | 10:17 AM

KAMLOOPS — For another year, the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA has put out more money than it’s received, and now changes will be made to try and mitigate the impact.

The organization is cutting staff and programming to try and save money.

In a statement, CEO Colin Reid says pressures have been created by a number of factors, including increased operating costs, flattening revenue streams, reduced cash flow, and changes in government policy.

Reid says this is the second year the association has put out more money than it earns, and the correction to the issue is a 10 per cent operational course correction.

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“Our association has decided to act on this matter now in order to prevent the situation from worsening and to reduce the risk and vulnerability to the organization,” Reid says. “Our goal is to correct this matter, to be stable and healthy and serving the greater Kamloops Community for years to come.”

The organization is planning to reduce costs by 10 per cent, grow revenue, and restructure.

“A program refocus will take place at our John Tod location, where we will change to a Community Centre model, focused on programs that serve people in group programs,” Reid says. “Hours at John Tod will be reduced initially to Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 and will be expanded as new services and demand increases.

“All group activity will be focused on Children, Young Families, Youth, Adults and Seniors. Our CCRR and EYC programs will remain at John Tod.”

Individual conditioning spaces at John Tod will be changed to group program spaces and all equipment will be relocated to the downtown Y. Functional group fitness equipment will stay at John Tod.

The downtown Y will close one hour earlier during the week, and weekend hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“Staffing levels will be adjusted to fit a restructured staff team,” Reid says. “Most evening programing from John Tod will relocate to Battle Street.”

In the Anti-Violence programing, PEACE will see a reduction in staff and services to children. It will move to the women’s shelter by the end of the year.

Women’s shelter staffing schedules will be adjusted to “fit the current funding model”.

“Most child and youth programing will now be offered as part of our membership bundle, some exceptions apply,” Reid says. “Child Care programs will be expanded and we will move these programs from our Battle Street location to another downtown location.”

All of the changes are aimed at saving $450,000 per year.

“These changes are designed to retain as many services as possible, to provide alternative locations for programs that many citizens enjoy and rely on, to minimize the impact on members, program participants, staff and volunteers and to keep the Y vibrant in our community.”

The Y asks people to help support the organization by donating.