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Boy swimming in pool

Loyalist Township is pleased to announce two new community partnerships that will enable the Township to continue to offer aquatic programming to residents this summer. 

The Township is expanding its current partnership with BGC South East and formed a new partnership with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. Loyalist Township’s recreation vision “All residents of Loyalist Township participate in healthy, personally engaging, and community-building recreation” aligns perfectly with both BGC South East and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario’s organizational missions and values.

Aquatics programming will begin on July 4, 2022 and will be offered at both the YMCA of Eastern Ontario’s Wright Crescent Branch and BGC South East’s West End Hub in Kingston.

Loyalist Township has been unable to offer aquatics programs since March 9, 2022 due to significant infrastructure concerns. At a special meeting of Council on April 19th, Township Council directed staff to close the pool and to work with regional partners to source interim aquatic options for Township residents.

 

“I want to thank BGC South East and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario for their commitment to serving the community and for their efforts to form these partnerships with Loyalist Township.  Loyalist Council and staff remain committed to meeting the aquatics needs of our community and region, partners such as BGC and the YMCA make this possible,” said Loyalist Township Deputy Mayor, Jim Hegadorn.  “Through the support of BGC South East and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, we’re able to provide our residents with opportunities to participate in swim programs this summer,” Hegadorn added.

 

"We welcome Loyalist Township to bring even more diversity to our West End Community Centre and enhance relevance to the 75 hours a week of aquatics programs operating," says Harold Parsons, Executive Director at BGC South East.

 

"As the closest Aquatics Centre from the W. J. Henderson Recreation Centre, we are pleased to expand our partnership to serve and support community needs where they reside, and provide services our community needs," Parsons adds.

 

“As a service-oriented charity, the Y has continually looked to see where we may support people in our communities. We believe that working together makes us all stronger and are open to exploring partnership opportunities,” said Rob Adams, CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “We are delighted to be able to offer our aquatics programs to our neighbours in Loyalist Township We have added advanced aquatics and swim lessons over the summer to accommodate increased need and hope that everyone who comes to the Y will feel at home.”

 

Loyalist residents can begin to register for aquatics programs on Tuesday, June 21st at 12:00pm. Non-residents can register for aquatics programs beginning on Friday, June 24th at 12:00pm. To register and find details about aquatics programs, visit www.loyalist.ca/recreation, call 613-386-7351, or visit the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre (322 Amherst Dr., Amherstview), Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (excluding holidays).

To learn more about BGC South East, visit www.bgcsoutheast.ca.

To learn more about the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, visit www.eo.ymca.ca.