Carved from the rock off Langford Parkway, much of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 new YM-YWCA buildingB次元官网网址檚 size is hidden from view of the Westhills development that overlooks it. But facilities inside the under-construction, 62,000-square foot structure continue to grow each day.
Carrying on that theme, board chair and Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett announced a new name for the growing not-for-profit charitable organization, to a crowd gathered in the childcare space at the new Langford location on Tuesday.
The name YM-YWCA of Vancouver Island, Beckett noted, better reflects the growing list of services the Y offers Island residents, not just those in Victoria. B次元官网网址淎s our communities grow so does the demand,B次元官网网址� he said.
After the announcement Beckett said, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not the building so much as the services B次元官网网址� the thing that really resonates with me is the value.B次元官网网址� He added that families can access all of the Y facilities for one low monthly fee. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檒l just be fantastic for families.B次元官网网址�
Jennie Edgecombe YM-YWCA Vancouver Island CEO, said expanding operations in the region have B次元官网网址渂een in our strategic direction for a while.B次元官网网址�
On a tour of the new facilities in Langford, Mayor Stew Young said B次元官网网址測ou can actually see it take shape.B次元官网网址�
Not only will the facility be a great place for families, he added, it will be a needed complement to the many outdoor activities already in the area.
A new pool facility hasnB次元官网网址檛 been built since the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool in 1993, Young pointed out. B次元官网网址淚t was time for the region. Just think how much our population has grown.B次元官网网址�
Under an agreement, Westhills Land Corporation is constructing the aquatic facilities, which the YM-YWCA will lease for 25 years. The City of Langford has guaranteed to buy services from the Y for the duration of the lease.
The new facilities at the Langford Westhills Y and the View Royal Eagle Creek Village Y are still on schedule to open in April 2016, although Edgecombe noted a specific opening date has not yet been set.
Roughly 60 new full-time jobs and 50 part-time jobs will be created by the two new facilities.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
Upgrades in the future for Camp Thunderbird
Coinciding with TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 announcement at the new YM-YWCA facilities in Langford was the launch of a $2-million capital campaign to raise funds to reinvigorate Camp Thunderbird.
Local businessman, philanthropist and Camp Thunderbird alumni, Terry Farmer, is honorary campaign co-chair.
B次元官网网址淚f we are not careful, we will lose it,B次元官网网址� he warned. B次元官网网址淲e will lose this treasured jewel due to neglect.B次元官网网址�
Camp Thunderbird is a roughly 1,200-acre facility bordering Sooke and Metchosin off Sooke Road and is owned by the YM-YWCA of Vancouver Island.
At the time of the campaignB次元官网网址檚 launch, $840,000 had been raised towards that $2-million goal.
The campaign is also looking to raise funds for programs and equipment at the first new YM-YWCA of Vancouver Island expansion facilities, in View Royal and Langford.
B次元官网网址� Katherine Engqvist
