Research showed that residents of peninsular Halifax lack sufficient access to a Multi-Service Centre of Community that offers health and wellness programs and services for all ages and backgrounds.
The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth conducted research into the health, fitness and recreation program and service offerings in peninsular Halifax. A third-party market research company, LeisurePlan International Inc., was retained to survey the market and determine the readiness for a new YMCA Centre of Community.
The results of the research indicated that there was pent up demand for a Centre of this nature and that peninsular Halifax was “ready to belong to something.” It was determined that a new YMCA Centre of Community would attract between 6,000-8,000 annual members. Additionally, many more would participate in individual YMCA programs and services such as swimming lessons, recreational sports, day passes, wellness programs like yoga and pilates, martial arts and children’s weekend programs. This would increase the total number of people served by the Centre to 12,000-16,000 per year.
This research supported the vision for a new YMCA in peninsular Halifax, and confirmed the need for recreational infrastructure to enable all residents of HRM to access YMCA programs and grow an even stronger community in sprit, mind and body.
