Dear Members & Friends,
As we head into the holiday season and wrap up another year of serving communities across Eastern Ontario, I wanted to begin by sharing a few recent highlights.
Recently, we welcomed more than 200 local families to our annual Work Hard, Eat Well (WHEW) Christmas Dinner at the Rideau Heights Community Centre, an event I look forward to every year. Thanks to our partners; the City of Kingston, and the Kinsmen Club of Kingston, who attended the celebration and helped served dinner. I also want to acknowledge the dedicated volunteers and staff who helped serve, greet families, and make the evening truly special.
Below: City of Kingston council members and senior staff alongside volunteer leadership from the Kinsmen Club of Kingston.
Above: Rob Adams, CEO with program participant and families enjoying a holiday meal.
I also wanted to provide an update on our capital project underway at the Brockville YMCA. Our gymnasium expansion continues to move forward. Last week, the steel beams were erected, and this week brickwork begins. The roof installation is scheduled for January, followed by interior work. We anticipate reopening the gymnasium in March 2026.
Phase 2 of the project begins in January and includes the renovation of the women’s and universal changerooms. The universal changeroom will temporarily serve as the women’s space, and the accessible washroom in the lobby will remain available. This phase is expected to take three months, after which work on the universal changeroom will begin.
Looking ahead, Phase 3 will take place over the summer months and will involve replacing the flooring throughout the first floor.
As we continue improving our facilities, we’re also preparing for the winter session. Winter Program Registration opens December 16 at 8:00 a.m., with programs beginning January 5, 2026. Free swims will be offered over the Christmas break. Holiday schedules and free swim times will be posted soon.
View the Winter Programs Guide and Holiday Schedules at eo.ymca.ca/schedules
The YMCA Back On Track program continues to grow. Our Brockville site launched in October in partnership with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and has already welcomed students. In Kingston, the program expanded in September to include students from the Algonquin and Lakeshore District School Board. We now support students from both the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.
As representatives from our region, Jill MacDonald and I took part in the first YMCA Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. YMCA leaders from across Ontario met with the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and MPPs from all parties to strengthen our partnership with the Province. Together, we highlighted the importance of accessible child care, meaningful youth opportunities, and sustained investment in community recreation.
Below: Rob Adams with Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and YMCA leaders.
Left: Rob Adams and Jill MacDonald with YMCA Ontario colleagues at Queen’s Park.
Right: Rob Adams alongside Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition.
We have reached 89% of our Annual Campaign goal. Your support ensures that people across our community can access YMCA programs regardless of financial circumstances. For more information, contact Emily Wimpenny at emily.wimpenny@eo.ymca.ca.
Thank you for your support as we continue to enhance our spaces for the benefit of our entire community.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Rob Adams
CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario
