Demolition begins on YMCA Building

It was once the flagship Moose Jaw location of an international organization that traces its local beginnings to establishing a spiritual and recreational home for rural men who moved to the city to work on the railway in 1905.

But after the Moose Jaw YMCA’s dissolution in 2019 - largely due to financial reasons and no funds to upgrade the aging Crescent Park (the Moose Jaw YMCA’s 220 Fairford Street East location) flagship location - the decision was made by Council to demolish the building as part of the 2020 budget discussions.

The estimated cost to bring the building up to programmable status was $3 million - money the Moose Jaw YMCA did not have.

The building, opened on 1972, has been unoccupied since June 30, 2019 and had been vandalized by persons unknown in November 2019. The vandalism caused damages running into the thousands of dollars.

The initial cost to demolish the YMCA was estimated to be $295,000 but the lowest tender for the demolition came in at $440,000 Council was told in August 2020.

At the present time crews are remediating the asbestos in the facility with the actual demolition expected to commence in mid - November.

The ominous sign hangs outside the now defunct Moose Jaw YMCA’s former Crescent Park location as the building is prepared for the wrecker’s ball - MJ Independent photo

The demoliton of the YMCA building will not effect the Natatorium Building located right next door nor the Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool. The Natatorium Building has been designated a historical site.

In a news release the City has asked people to stay away from the area.

“The City anticipates extra traffic, including construction equipment, in the area and asks residents to observe all posted signage and exercise caution for the safety of everyone. Safety barriers and signage around the property will be in place,” the release stated.

The immediate plans after the demoliton is to turn the site into a grassed area.