Y Changes Name and Looks to Expand
Prince George, B.C.- For 50 years, you have known the YMCA as the YMCA of Prince George, but 2013 marks an end to that.
The Y will now be officially known as the YMCA of Northern BC and it will be working to spread its programs to 100 Mile House in the south to the Yukon border in the north and west to Haida Gwaii.
The new name and expanded focus were first approved by the Board last summer, and now, the change has been approved and supported by YMCA Canada.
"Since 1964, we have served children and families in Prince George, and our Board felt it was time to share the YMCA message with new audiences in northern BC," says Peter Vogt, Chairperson. "Our staff has been informally delivering programming in communities such as Fraser Lake, Williams Lake and New Aiyansh and we are seeing residents from surrounding towns such as Fort St. James travelling to Prince George to participate in programs."
The YMCA of Northern BC will be based in Prince George and regional programs will be offered as municipal partnerships are developed. Many YMCA programs such as licensed child care and Learn to Skate are mobile and future staff will receive training in YMCA-based curriculum.
The name may be different, but there will be no change to the programs offered to Prince George families. "The Prince George YMCA will retain its inclusive philosophy, programs, mission and service standards offered to children and families", adds Mark Miller CEO. "Our growing investment in programs to build healthy communities throughout northern BC is a solid component of our historical mission and current strategic plan."
The name change takes effect February 1, 2013 and includes a new web site address www.nbcy.org .
Comments
They should of changed it to “The Gym”.
What is in a name?
This is the web page for something that seems to call itself Family YMCA of Prince George
http://www.pgymca.com
The new name seems to be losing the word âfamilyâ in the name.
In Ottawa it is known as the Taggart Family Y …. taking on an advertiser’s name, including âfamilyâ and dropping the MCA
[url] http://www.ymcaywca.ca/locations/Taggart+Family+Y%5B/uol%5D
What gives?
http://www.ymcaywca.ca/locations/Taggart+Family+Y
Be thankful it wasn’t named The Sheri Green fun House or something like that
LOL ….
guess the Village People will have to change the name of there song.
For the “unwashed/uninformed” the Y, the Family Y, or the YMCA of Northern British Columbia(what every its name) it delivers on its goals and objectives.
Whether it is “gym” facilities to those inclined, heart patients recovering from surgery, parents with young children, or people in our community recovering from just about anything this is the place go.
It is inclusive and does not turn anyone away.
It has grown from a racquetball/gym facility 25 years ago; a reflection of the needs of the community. Kudos to the volunteer board of directors for recognizing change while providing programs that fit the needs of the community, while providing fiscal oversight of the whole operations.
Village People??? who’s that??? Where??/
25 years????? It was built in the latter half of the 1970s ….almost 40 years ago …. time flies when you’re having fun.:-)
The squash/racketball courts were added later, as was the section on the west face …. I used to play squash there after the squash/raquetball courts on 5th burned to the ground and no one ever rebuilt them. When the squash courts were repurposed I never returned to the Y since they had nothing of interest for me. We used to have to book court times 2 to 3 days in advance, so it appeared to be used reeaonably well. Not sure why they changed the facility.
I am not one into rowing in place, climbing in place, running in place, surfing in place, bicycling in place, pressing benches or pressing Chinese ducks or any other individual activities of that nature. I enjoy(ed) racquet sports, especially tennis and squash.
When the building was fiorst designed, it was thought that a swimming pool would eventually be added. Alas, like the second storey of the parkade under the library, a PAC next to the library, commercial space to make the “cultural centre” of PG more active, a private roller rink next to the Y, and a myriad of other projects and expansions, nothing of that sort of filling out really happened after 40 years.
So now the Y is expanding, reaching out to the North. We are realy not given any background information as to why, whether it will allow the local Y to flourish or whether it is a risk to spread its wings over such communities.
I notice that Grand Prairie has a Family Y. Problem is, it is in Texas ….. :-)
http://www.ymcadallas.org/locations/grand_prairie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS9OO0S5w2k
Why would the ymca turn anyone away,
They get a subsidy of one and a quarter million per year and the taxpayer gets nailed for it. It interferes with any of the gyms trying to survive out there.
Its a social screw up and everyone knows it.
I tend to agree.
YMCA – Young Men’s Christian Association.
So no old men
No females
No Jews, Muslims, Sheiks, etc.
I would say they need a serious name change. Who are they? Who do they want to be?
Agree with gus, the YMCA acronym is not applicable by a long shot, anymore; however, is the most recognizable.
Perhaps a complete name change for all YMCA’s at the same time…something more suitable.
Either way, love our YMCA, kinda like a giant community centre. Not sure how the funding works or where it comes from but I’m sure taxpayers cover expenses in the long run; no complaints from this cowboy.
Who doesn’t know the theme song by the Village People?
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