In April, when Sault Ste. Marie was shocked by the sudden announcement that her YMCA was closing a few weeks later, Cindy Ougler knew it was coming.

She was part of the board that made the decision after months of reviewing finances in private meetings.

“The last two years, personally, have been horrible,” said Oulger, who “lived and breathed the Y” growing up, since his mother worked there for 40 years.

“We were closing. It wasn’t nice not being able to talk with our families.”

And then Ougler, who is now president of the YMCA board of directors, was the one shocked by the community’s reaction to the spring announcement that the YMCA would close in just a few weeks.

“The situation changed about a week after the community came forward,” she said.

“There are plans to ensure the community continues to be involved and be here for the next 100 years.”

The YMCA has since signed up 400 members, but aims to recruit 600 more to reach 3,000 by March.

Ougler says discussions are also underway about a “future partnership” with the City of Sault Ste. Married. He increased his funding for the YMCA and helped the Lukenda Charitable Foundation purchase the 59-year-old fitness center, which the Y now leases.

“To be sustainable, we need the community to stay involved. To keep coming,” she said.

Grant Grbich attended the Sault YMCA most of his life, having been enrolled in the daycare in 1969.

“I never realized that everything was new around me,” the 58-year-old said.

“I think what I’ve appreciated over the last few years is that it’s just a healthy place to live.”

He says it was “really a shock” to hear the news in the spring and he’s definitely noticed more people in the gym during his workouts in recent months.

Margaret Gardner, president of the Sault Y Dolphins Swim Club, also used the word “shock” when recalling her reaction to the news that the pool they use could be drained and closed.

“My daughter was in tears,” she said, but added that the club’s numbers looked strong this winter and she was hopeful the Y was now on more stable footing.

“I hope so. We’re taking it day by day until someone tells us otherwise.”

The YMCA has launched its Bridge to the Future fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $1.5 million in donations and new memberships to cover critical infrastructure repairs such as the boiler and roof.

PR manager Don Ferguson says they’ve already reached $650,000, are expecting a “shock” with New Year’s resolutions and have also secured government grants, giving them thus a “room for maneuver”.

“It’s a good example of what can happen when the community supports you,” he said.

“If nothing else has resulted in this, I think the community has become fully aware of what the YMCA stands for.”