It was a packed house at the YMCA Annual General Meeting on Monday night, where the future of the YMCA Fairford location was front and centre.

The meeting began with YMCA CEO Jeff Fox showing a presentation to the over 100 YMCA members and guests in attendance.

The YMCA moved into their Fairford location in 1972, and currently pay $1 a year to rent the city-owned building. However, the building recently suffered damage after a water main break, with a number of other improvements and renovations needed in order for it to be up to code, including roof repairs, mechanical and plumbing work - which Fox believed would cost around $3 million. Along with the racquetball courts being plagued with a rotten sub-floor, Fox continued to say the old building is causing the YMCA to lose money annually, and that the current building does not offer the standards that members deserve.

Fox discussed the cost if they were to stay at Fairford, and the 5 options the board believe they have:

1) Do nothing – which Fox believed is not feasible.

2) Close the Co-op location and expand at the Fairford location

3) Close Fairford and expand and invest more into the Co-op location – which the board had voted unanimously in favour of, although nothing is final.

4) Lease space in another building

5) Build a new building

Fox called the Fairford YMCA a home for him, ensuring everyone that the board is not taking the decision to move lightly.

After going over the costs and pros/cons of each option, the room was opened for questions and comments, and there were a lot.

Over 25 people addressed the board and room, with all being in favour of staying at the Fairford location. A large concern that was brought up multiple times was the indoor gym, which has the only full-sized indoor basketball court in Moose Jaw, saying if they were to move buildings there would no longer be a gym or court open for the public for the majority of the day. Fox said the board is working with the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division to form a partnership which will let Y members use the school's gyms...but only at certain times...and that deal has not been finalized. Kids and after school programs was another topic of discussion, which Fox suggested would be moved to the numerous school gyms as well, which would give more kids access to a number of programs.

A number of YMCA members believed they were being mislead, however, that the numbers and dollar signs given in the presentation didn't add up, and that the 'facts' they were given were not actual facts. A number voiced their anger

at the lack of communication between the board and the members, saying the board had already made up their mind to move and that the meeting was just a formality.

"I think the board was forced to do the meeting by members" said Dave Kelly, a member of the YMCA who was in attendance, "This was found out by rumour and not communicated by the board and membership that this decision had taken place."

Many spoke to the maintenance of the building as well, saying the board and employees were not taking care of it as well as they could have, and that there were a number of areas in which costs could be cut.

There were then 2 motions passed – the first which was voted strongly in favour of – that said the board would have to revisit their decision to move buildings.

The second said that all members of the YMCA board must stop anything related to the moving or closing of the Fairford location, that there be another general meeting held as early as possible, and that all YMCA members must be informed of the meeting in a timely matter.

5 members of the audience, who were vocal during the question and answer period, were also nominated for election to be added as members of the board when they meet for their next meeting, which is taking place Wednesday.

In the end no decision was made, and it's back to the drawing board for the YMCA.

"You know what, honestly I don't know whats next," said Jeff Fox after the meeting was finished. "I think that we will probably have to put the brakes on some things right now, engage with our membership, and go from there."

He expressed that he wished he had given more detail and numbers when discussing the 5 options at the start of the night, and the cost, and cost saving each provided.

The YMCA board will be meeting this Wednesday, with the next Annual General Meeting planned for October 16, although due to the second motion passed it may be sooner. You can check the YMCA website for all future information.