The YWCA of Calgary recently hosted a cheque presentation and media opportunity on the south patio of its downtown site, located at 320 5th Avenue SE, to celebrate a donation made by Great Gulf, the purchaser of the site.
Along with a cash donation of $500,000, Great Gulf offered a two year no-cost lease back to the YWCA for the existing facility. The two organizations negotiated to settle on adding a lease extension of two years to provide the YWCA with greater stability over the next four years to plan for and develop a new site.
“The generosity of Great Gulf is extraordinary and kicks off our future plans in a grand way,” said Sue Tomney, chief executive officer of the YWCA, in a press release. “The donation, coupled with the no-cost two year lease and subsequent two year extension ensures the YWCA can provide consistency for the women and families we support while we develop a new facility that is better designed to adapt to changing needs of women in our community.”
The lease now extends to November 2019 and will give the YWCA some certainty while offering services and planning for the future, thereby minimally impacting clients, staff and the community.
The process of choosing a future YWCA hub site and development partners is currently underway and is expected to be announced within the month. Programs and services offered at the YWCA Sheriff King Home and downtown sites will continue uninterrupted.
“Calgary has consistently been one of Canada’s most dynamic cities, with a youth, vitality and spirit that is both engaging and endearing. At Great Gulf, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to transform the YWCA block and adjacent lands to create an existing new downtown district perfectly situated between the East Village, the financial core and the Bow River,” said Christopher Wein, president at Great Gulf. “The master plan for this development will include substantial residential, commercial, office and institutional uses.”
Photo: Sue Tomney, CEO YWCA of Calgary and Christopher Wein, President Great Gulf
