Groundbreaking and Naming Donor Ceremony

On Monday June 8, 2009, the YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon held a special ceremony to break ground and to announce a $1 million gift given by Ches Penney and the Penney Group of Companies. The new building will be named the Ches Penney Family Y.

“My family and our companies have done well in business, and this is our way of giving back. I am happy to be here today to make this announcement public and to be a part of building the new Y for generations of children, youth, and families and to encourage others to give” says Ches Penney, Chairman of the Penney Group.

The campaign will continue throughout construction. It is anticipated the Ches Penney Family Y will open in late 2010 or early 2011. At approximately 50,000 sq ft, the facility will include an aquatics centre, change rooms, employment and enterprise centre, child care centre, gymnasium, exercise facilities, offices, and community space.

Thank you to the Penney Family for your generous donation and thank you to everyone who joined us for this exciting ceremony!

L-R Jason Brown, CEO, Ches Penney, Chairman of the Penney Group of Companies and Craig Rowe, Board Chair.

Strong Families Campaign Project Committee standing with Mr. Penney at the Groundbreaking Ceremony. L-R: Laurie Clouston, Co-Chair Communications Committee, Scott Giannou, Co-Chair Communications Committee, Sharon Horan, Chair Capital Campaign Cabinet, Jason Brown, CEO, Ches Penney, Chairman of the Penney Group of Companies, Craig Rowe, Board Chair and Jerry Kirkland, Chair Building Committee.

Representatives from the Penney Group of Companies.

Y Board of Directors. L-R: Heather Peters, Dave Mercer, Gerry Carew, Craig Rowe, Board Chair, Jason Brown, CEO, Sharon Horan, Chair Captial Campaign Cabinet, Laurie Clouston, Greg Dickie, Scott Giannou, Paul Goulart and Laurie Skinner. Missing from photo: Sharon Sparkes and Bonnie Simmons.

L-R Vic Young, Honourary Campaign Chair; Jason Brown, CEO, Ches Penney, Chairman, Penney Group, Eileen Young, Honourary Campaign Chair and Craig Rowe, Board Chair.