The Orléans Star has learned that the building which currently houses the Ruddy Family Orléans YMCA-YWCA has been sold to undisclosed interests and that the YMCA-YWCA operations will soon be shutdown.

Orléans Ward Coun. Matt Luloff was informed of the sale in an email from National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA president and CEO Bob Gallagher.

In the e-mail, Mr. Gallagher writes that the pandemic has given the organization time to assess the delivery of its many programs in the National Capital Region.

"As you know the pandemic has been challenging for many organizations. Our Y has not been immune to these pressures," Gallagher writes. "While the closure of this community facility is difficult, it has given us the opportunity to reconsider and refocus on the programs and services that we provide across the community.

"Our Y's path forward will allow us to offer more employment services, newcomer programs, housing, child care, camp, as well as health, fitness and aquatics programs at our other National Capital Region locations."

The email makes it clear that Y Child Care services and the City-run COVID vaccination clinic will continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future. There is no news yet on the exact date of the facility's closure, or what, if anything, will happen with existing memberships.

That's small comfort, however, for a community losing such a popular community facility. Upon hearing the news, Luloff became instantly reminiscent.

"It's sad, really. I spent alot of time there playing basketball, working out and just hanging out with my friends," said Luloff, who plans to work with the City's parks and recreation department to fill the programming void left by the Y's closing. "We're very lucky as a community to be served by three large recreation complexes and I am confident that we will be able to meet the demand."

Luloff also took the time to thank the Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA staff, both past and present. "Thank you to the hundreds of people who worked at the Ruddy Family Y over the years and for bringing joy and happiness to so many children, adults and seniors."

The Orléans YMCA-YWCA went through a major expansion in 2009, which included two swimming pools, a full-size gymnasium, and new lobby. The expansion was made possible in large part to $1 million donation from Ottawa business leader and philanthropist John Ruddy.

At the time the expansion was announced it was hailed as an important component of the Orléans core along with the Shenkman Arts Centre which opened the same year.

“The renewed Orléans Y fits in well with the current revitalization of Orleans core,” said former president and CEO of the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA, Tony Pacheco. “The renewed Y will be a landmark facility that meets the needs of the people of Orléans.”