The Kamloops Y is cutting staff and programs to save about $450,000 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

KAMLOOPS YMCA-YWCA

Stiff competition in fitness sector partly led to operational changes at Kamloops Y

Aug 2, 2019 | 8:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been a tough last two year for the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA. In back to back fiscal years, the non-profit organization has lost money.

Before the losses mount too much further, the Y is cutting 10 per cent of its total operating budget.

“At the end of the day, we’re targeting for a $450,000 improvement to our annual operating budget,” said CEO Colin Reid.

For the last two years, the Kamloops Y has seen dwindling membership results in plummeting revenues, both at the downtown and North Shore locations.

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The losses have coincided with the emergence of Planet Fitness, which opened in Kamloops in August 2017. Reid says the organization has lost about 1,000 members since Planet Fitness set up shop in Sahali Mall. Membership now sits at around 5,000.

It’s a punch to the gut for an organization that worked to build their numbers back up to the 6,000 mark following a similar loss when the Tournament Capital Centre opened its doors.

“When you have that shrinkage in your volume of people who are coming through your doors and paying you fees to provide those services, it makes operating those particular services difficult,” noted Reid.

On Thursday, the Kamloops Y announced significant changes to its operations starting in September. The reductions will come in the form of reduced hours at both locations, about 20 staff members will lose their jobs, and programming will be cut or shifted across some other YMCA services.

There will be some changes to the Y Women’s Shelter. The PEACE program that helps kids who’ve witnessed violence will be housed at the shelter by the end of the year.

The Kamloops Y has lost about 1,000 members since Planet Fitness came to the city in 2017 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

The biggest shift, however, will be a program refocus at the John Tod Centre on the North Shore. It will become more of a community centre model with group fitness classes. The individual workout equipment will be gone and all the gym facilities will be consolidated to Battle Street.

Many members, especially at the John Tod location, are disappointed with the moves. They say it’s going to be an inconvenience having to go downtown. Some even say they may look for another gym.

John Gunn lives on Royal Avenue and comes often to work out at the John Tod Centre. He says he’ll try out the downtown Y, but with construction on West Victoria Street, he’s not sure how long that adventure will last.

“I don’t think the majority of people that use the weights and cardiovascular machines are going to make the trek uptown, and right now the traffic patterns going into downtown are horrendous,” he said.

Gunn says the changes are just the latest hit the North Shore community that’s lost many other amenities over the last few years.

“I think that it’s just one more facility that the North Shore is going to sorely miss,” Gunn said.

The next step will be seeking new revenue opportunities. Reid hopes these changes can help turn the operation around.

“This is a bump in the road for the Y,” said Reid. “It’ll be a 10 per cent bump. We’re taking these steps to ensure that things don’t go in the wrong direction. We’re positive we’ll get through this.”