RBC has committed $500,000 to the new YMCA facility under construction in Barrie, Ontario, with the funds earmarked for accessibility and sustainability features as the building prepares to open its doors.
The donation was announced during a block party held outside the new YMCA building to mark the one-year countdown to its grand opening, which is expected in the fall of 2027. The event, organized by the YMCA and local partners, included family activities alongside the funding announcement.
A Major Community Investment for RBC
Devinder Gill, RBC’s regional president for Ontario North & East, described the contribution as one of the largest the bank has made in the Barrie area. Gill said the funding is intended to ensure people can enter and move through the facility freely, supporting accessibility for all visitors.
Focus on Accessibility and Belonging
Jill Tettmann, CEO of YMCA Simcoe Muskoka, said the gift from RBC Foundation represents a significant opportunity to make the new facility welcoming and navigable for a wide range of visitors, including parents with strollers and seniors using mobility aids. Tettmann said the goal is for everyone who comes to the YMCA to feel a sense of belonging in the space.
The new YMCA building in Barrie is set to open in the fall of 2027, with RBC’s contribution directed specifically toward accessibility and sustainability elements of the project.
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