Press Releases

Chilliwack, BC: Following the Request for Proposals process, Chilliwack City Council awarded the upcoming contract for the management of the Cheam Leisure Centre, Landing Leisure Centre, and Rotary Pool to the YMCA of Greater Vancouver on August 16, 2022. Following a transition period, it is anticipated that the YMCA will take over operations in mid-September 2022.

“Across Canada there have been challenges for recreation facility operators that no one was immune to, and the effects will continue with us for a while,” said Mayor Popove. “Training to become a lifeguard is a serious investment of time and money, and while there is no quick-fix for this issue, we are excited about the YMCA’s vision for these facilities and their track record of success.”

Over the last two years, a variety of health orders from the Provincial Health Officer caused challenges for municipal recreation services. Limited training and recertification opportunities for lifeguards due to health restrictions, restricted hours, and staff seeking stable employment elsewhere during the pandemic, have all contributed to lifeguard and swim instructor shortages across Canada.

The YMCA of Greater Vancouver has been operating in Chilliwack for over 50 years and, in addition to their own facilities, they operate municipal recreation facilities in a number of other Lower Mainland communities. The YMCA’s proposal for the operation of Chilliwack’s leisure centres was evaluated based on six technical criteria (corporate and management experience; proposed key facility management personnel; employee recruitment, training, retention and wage strategies; proposed facility programming; proposed facility maintenance strategies; and proposed community engagement) and scored the highest of the submissions. As per the Request for Proposals, the YMCA will pay lifeguards and swim instructors the $22 and $20 rates as determined by Council earlier this year.

While the YMCA will manage these civic facilities, the operation will be independent of the local YMCA. Facility drop-in and membership rates for civic facilities are set by Council through the Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw, therefore there will be no change in these rates under the new management. YMCA memberships will not be required to access programs and services at the leisure centres or the Rotary Pool.

The existing management contract for the leisure centres and the Rotary Pool expired during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Request for Proposals was delayed until there was more certainty for prospective leisure centre operators.