An official ribbon-cutting taking place Friday morning (June 14) at the ATB Centre in west Lethbridge.
The leisure centre and new Cor Van Raay YMCA opened to the public in early May and has seen a steady stream of visitors.
Mayor Chris Spearman says he understands some people are upset at the location of this facility, but he stresses it is a place for all residents to come and enjoy. “We start to start thinking of ourselves, instead or north, south, and west. We need to think of ourselves as one city. We can’t afford to put facilities like this in every section of the city. This is a facility for everyone.
The official opening Friday is the culmination of nearly 10 years of planning and construction.
The 380,000 square foot facility is built and owned by the City of Lethbridge with the newest phase being operated by the Lethbridge YMCA.
Spearman notes the size of this building and the number of amenities it offers is impressive. “But what is even more impressive to me is how this space is already helping us build community. Families, friends and neighbours now have a place to gather, be active and enjoy each other’s company. This is something our community needed.”
With both phases of ATB Centre now complete, Lethbridge residents and visitors can access fitness, aquatics, curling and skating all under one roof.
The total cost was around $110 million.
The City of Lethbridge noting that just in the few short weeks that the Cor Van Raay YMCA has been operational, they have seen more than 65,000 visitors and have 5,300 members.