Vandals Breaking Into Former YMCA Building

It may now be closed and no longer officially open to the public but it seems the former flagship building of the defunct YMCA of Moose Jaw in Crescent Park is now attracting visitors. Visitors who are not particularly welcome.

The former YMCA of Moose Jaw headquarters building during its last days - MJ Independent File Photo

At last night's special meeting of City Council during budget discussions surrounding recreational facilities Councillor Heather Eby asked if the rumours were true and there had been break-ins at the former YMCA building .

“Has there been some vandalism at the old Y building,” Councillor Eby asked.

“Yes we have had some break-ins. The last one there was very extensive damage,” Derek Blais manager of Parks and Recreation replied.

Councillor Eby – who at one time was a YMCA board member - said she worried the 220 Fairford Street East former YMCA headquarters building would become “deplorable” like the former Providence Hospital once it was abandoned.

“I don’t want to see that happen and it will continue to happen,” she said.

Once abandoned in 1995 the former South Hill located Providence Hospital was broken into many times where it was vandalized and fires set causing the Moose Jaw Fire Department to respond on several occasions. The hospital was finally demoished in 2006.

Council previously decided against issuing a Request For Proposal (RFP) on the former Y headquarters to see if there was any interest from the private sector in the building moving it one step closer to demolition. With the RFP not issued the cost of demolition of the building is now the responsibility of the City.

There are no funds assigned to demolish the building in the 2020 budget.