Calls are continuing to grow asking the City of St. Catharines to save a local YMCA building.

In Feb. 2022, the St. Catharines Walker Family YMCA building was sold to Atria Development Corporation for $10.6 million, “without any ethical disclosure to the community — a community that has directly invested in its construction,” Wendy Marshall, a member of the Save the St. Catharines Walker YMCA Group told Dear Niagara.

“The Walker YMCA building was originally built with community-raised funds and generous donations from local businesses to replace the outdated facility in downtown St. Catharines,” Marshall said.

When the building was sold, “there was a promising vision,” according to the community group.

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

However, after negotiations stopped in Oct. 2024, “the dream is now in jeopardy” as a demolition permit has been issued, the group said.

Now, Save the St. Catharines Walker YMCA Group would like to see the City of St. Catharines re-open negotiations with Atria Development Corporation to purchase the building and prevent demolition, according to Marshall.

A petition started by a community-led group on Feb. 3 to save the building has already amassed over 640 signatures as of Feb. 19.

“Additionally, we want officials to acknowledge the lack of replacement facility and commit to finding a solution that ensures year-round recreational access for all residents,” Marshall said.

“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 11,000 active members in 2012, with approximately 25% receiving subsidies to ensure accessibility,” she added.

The community group’s leader Uwe Natho will be meeting with the mayor of St. Catharines, Mat Siscoe, on March 15 to discuss the petition and the future of the building.

In the meantime, the group has asked local residents to sign and share the petition and spread the word to others.

“If this building is demolished, we lost not just the structure, but a vital part of the community,” said Marshall.