Four residential high-rise buildings are being planned to be built at the former St. Catharines YMCA site.

The plan for the 28 to 48 storey buildings with 1902 residential units was brought to the St. Catharines Committee of Adjustments on Feb 19 by Atria Development Corporation.

It was then the development company was granted approval to decrease the number of parking spaces required for the development.

This will accommodate a decrease in parking spaces from 1902 to 1620.

Atria Development has developed and managed more than two million square feet’ of commercial and residential space across Ontario, according to the City of St. Catharines.

In early Feb., a community-led group continued called to “save the St. Catharines Walker YMCA building” in an online petition.

The building was sold to Atria Development Corporation in Feb. 2022 for $10.6 million “without any ethical disclosure to the community — a community that has directly invested in it’s construction,” according to the St. Catharines Walker YMCA Group.

“The Walker YMCA building was originally built with community-raised funds and generous donations from local businesses to replace the facility in downtown St. Catharines,” Wendy Marshall, a member of the community-led group told Dear Niagara.

“Since the city has not replaced the services that were previously offered by the YMCA, thousands of residents have been left without access to affordable, year-round recreational programs. The Walker YMCA had over 110,000 active members in 2012, with approximately 25 per cent receiving subsidies to ensure accessibility,” Marshall said.

According to the group, the plan was to repurpose the property into “quality, purpose-built rental units while maintaining its role as a vibrant community centre.”

However, after negotiations stopped in Oct. 2024, “the dream is now in jeopardy.”

In Oct. of 2024, the City of St. Catharines and Atria Development released a joint statement noting that the future site at 25 YMCA Dr. will not include the existing facility.

“The City is unable to move forward with the proposal due to significant affordability concerns related to the building condition, accessibility, and associated aquatics and recreational operational costs,” the statement said.

“Instead, the site will be redeveloped to contribute to much-needed housing in St. Catharines.”