The West Island Jewish Community Centre in Perrefonds-Roxboro will close Oct. 31.
YM-YWHA interim executive director Ethel Smith said a combination of factors led to the decision, including a decline in Jewish population in the West Island – especially young families - an increase in the number of fitness facilities in the region and a drop in gym enrolment.
The first WIJCC opened in 1986. It moved to its current location in 1997. Smith said that, at its peak, the centre’s gym had 600 members. That number has dropped to 450.
The centre also offered various children’s services, a Judaic program, after-school program, and family and teen programs. Smith said she had met with members of the DDO-based Congregation Beth Tikvah on Wednesday evening to discuss the possiblity of the congregation absorbing the centre’s series of programs.
Many of the gym members were taken off guard by the announcement. A group has launched a Facebook page to drum up support for keeping the facility open (https://www.facebook.com/savewestislandjcc?fref=nf) and a petition has been launched.
Cynthia Rombionti, her husband Robert Valinskas and son Erik have been members of the gym for more than a decade.
“I am so upset,” Rombionti said. “People there are like family. Everybody knows your name. The instructors are amazing. It’s not like other gyms. Nobody cares if you’re wearing the latest outfit.”
Smith would not say how many full-time and part-time staff will lose their jobs.
The YM-YWHA Jewish Community Centres consist of the West Island branch, the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre in Snowdon and the Harry Bronfman Y Country Camp.
More to come.
