MEMBERS’ CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CENTRAL YMCA CLUB BUILDS MOMENTUM
MEMBERS’ CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CENTRAL YMCA CLUB BUILDS MOMENTUM
Members of the Central YMCA Club have launched a campaign organising committee to coordinate
opposition to the sale of London’s biggest gym, health and wellbeing centre.
The group gained its first major success when a member-led deputation received unanimous support
and endorsement, and a standing ovation, from Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee.
In front of more than 120 members filling the public gallery and spilling over into the Council chamber itself, the Committee publicly committed its support for the campaign to save the Central YMCA Club, which is the world’s first YMCA. The meeting had to be moved from a committee room to the chamber to accommodate all those wishing to attend.
The Committee also pledged to exercise its influence to ensure the Club’s amenities are retained for the health and well-being of local people, visitors and the many schools and community groups among its regular users. The Committee Chair commented on the visible strength of support for the campaign shown by Central YMCA Club members.
A petition to the Mayor of London and Camden Council organised by the campaign group has attracted almost 5,000 signatures inside a week. And more than 250 Club members have come forward to assist the campaign, angered at a decision made to sell the club without any consultation.
“The Central YMCA Club provides essential services to people of all ages and a hugely diverse range of backgrounds,” says campaign spokesperson David Bieda. “The sale of the building to a real estate investor for redevelopment as a hotel reflects a growing trend where London’s community spaces, youth clubs, health facilities and swimming pools are being threatened at an alarming rate.
“We have gathered significant professional expertise to lead our campaign and protect this vital asset in the heart of London for current and future generations.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Central YMCA Club at 112 Great Russell Street, WC1, opened in 1977 on the site of a previous YMCA building. The club includes a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and extensive exercise, well-being and social spaces. The building has been sold by Central YMCA to real estate investors Criterion Capital.
The ‘Save Central YMCA Club’ petition is at change.org/p/save-central-ymca-club and the campaign website is at www.savetheymcaclub.org
Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting can be viewed at www.civico.net/camden/19669-Culture-and-Environment-Scrutiny-Committee
For more information and images, or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact: media@savetheymcaclub.org
Members of the Central YMCA Club have launched a campaign organising committee to coordinate opposition to the sale of London’s biggest gym, health and wellbeing centre. The group gained its first major success when a member-led deputation received unanimous support and endorsement, and a standing ovation, from Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee.
In front of more than 120 members filling the public gallery and spilling over into the Council chamber itself, the Committee publicly committed its support for the campaign to save the Central YMCA Club, which is the world’s first YMCA. The meeting had to be moved from a committee room to the chamber to accommodate all those wishing to attend.
The Committee also pledged to exercise its influence to ensure the Club’s amenities are retained for the health and well-being of local people, visitors and the many schools and community groups among its regular users. The Committee Chair commented on the visible strength of support for the campaign shown by Central YMCA Club members.
A petition to the Mayor of London and Camden Council organised by the campaign group has attracted almost 5,000 signatures inside a week. And more than 250 Club members have come forward to assist the campaign, angered at a decision made to sell the club without any consultation.
“The Central YMCA Club provides essential services to people of all ages and a hugely diverse range of backgrounds,” says campaign spokesperson David Bieda. “The sale of the building to a real estate investor for redevelopment as a hotel reflects a growing trend where London’s community spaces, youth clubs, health facilities and swimming pools are being threatened at an alarming rate.
“We have gathered significant professional expertise to lead our campaign and protect this vital asset in the heart of London for current and future generations.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Central YMCA Club at 112 Great Russell Street, WC1, opened in 1977 on the site of a previous YMCA building. The club includes a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and extensive exercise, well-being and social spaces. The building has been sold by Central YMCA to real estate investors Criterion Capital.
The ‘Save Central YMCA Club’ petition is at change.org/p/save-central-ymca-club and the campaign website is at www.savetheymcaclub.org
Camden Council’s Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting can be viewed at www.civico.net/camden/19669-Culture-and-Environment-Scrutiny-Committee
For more information and images, or to arrange an interview with campaign spokespeople, please contact media@savetheymcaclub.org