The Y has a new name

The YMCA’S in North Bay and Sudbury have come together.

They’re both now known as the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.

Helen Francis is chair of the board and says this is a positive development for both organizations.

“The ability to come together, remove some of the duplication of costs, gives us more latitude to have money to spend to really serve the community,” she says.

Francis says people won’t notice much of a difference in the short term and there won’t be a reduction in staff or volunteers.

President and CEO Kim Kanmacher says this has been in the works for six years.

“For the average member things won’t change, but we are looking at new efficiences that we will be able to do together, jointly, that will allow folks to be able to utilize both associations to their fullest,” she says.

The amalgamation was announced Thursday at the YMCA on Chippewa Street West in North Bay.