Last week at our 4th Annual Spotlight Gala, we celebrated over 100 years of the YMCA serving the community. Although the programs, services and sites that the Y operates have changed, the one thing that remains constant is our commitment to building a healthy community.

We also shared the news that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase property on the Barrie Central/Prince of Wales site at Dunlop and Bradford Streets in Downtown Barrie. This will be the home of our new Barrie Y. In the new year, we will be launching a capital campaign in support of this project, and I am pleased to share that Anna Cheaney and Brian Tamblyn have agreed to co-chair this fundraising effort, I could not think of two greater ambassadors to represent our Y in the community.

We look forward to sharing more in the New Year – this is an exciting time for the Barrie Y and the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.

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Rob Armstrong is President and CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka; focused on investing in communities, ensuring all people have access to the Y and implementing programs that are helping thousands of youth and families to learn and thrive. Prior to joining the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka in 2011, Rob held senior leadership positions at the YMCA of Edmonton, YMCA of Owen Sound, YMCA of Cambridge and most recently YMCA Ontario. Rob holds an Honours degree in Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University and has since augmented his education with advanced courses from the Harvard Business School of Entrepreneurship, Ivy School of Business and Queen’s University Executive Education Program.

Since coming to Simcoe/Muskoka, Rob has taken an active leadership role in the Child, Youth and Family Services Coalition of Simcoe County and Barrie’s Pathways to end homelessness. He served on a number of boards including local Community Foundations, Affordable Housing, Parks and Recreation Ontario and the Minister of Health Promotions Health Advisory Committee.