The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is thrilled to announce that the Peggy Hill Team Real Estate Brokerage Inc. has generously donated $150,000 to support the Child Minding space at the new YMCA in Barrie. This space will help families across the community take part in programs that strengthen their health and well-being.
Child Minding provides short-term, on-site care so parents and caregivers of children 3 and under can focus on their health and well-being, knowing their children are nearby and well cared for. By offering this care close at hand, the service removes a critical barrier to participation for families who might otherwise be unable to attend programs or take time for themselves.
A portion of the Child Minding space will be adapted into a ‘Sensory Support Zone’. This area will be equipped with specialized items such as sensory bins, sand tables, adjustable lighting, noise-cancelling headphones, and calming tactile surfaces. The YMCA's commitment to inclusion is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to grow, learn, and play in an environment that honours their unique needs and strengths.
“For us, this was never just about putting a name on a room. It was about helping create a space where every child feels welcome and every family feels supported,” said Peggy Hill, CEO & Broker of Peggy Hill Team Real Estate Brokerage Inc. “The YMCA is a cornerstone of our community, providing a safe, inclusive environment where people of all ages can learn, grow, build confidence, and form meaningful connections. We are proud to support an organization that enriches lives, strengthens our community, and creates opportunities for people to thrive every day. And we are proud to invest in a community that has always invested in us.”
Jill Tettmann, President & CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, welcomed the gift. “We are deeply grateful to the Peggy Hill Team for their generous support. Building a facility like the new YMCA in Barrie is only possible when local partners step forward to invest in the people around them. Their gift helps ensure that families, and especially children with unique needs, will find a space that truly belongs to them. Community partnerships like this one turn a vision into a place where thousands can connect and thrive,” Tettmann said.
The new YMCA in Barrie, under construction at 535 Bayview Drive, will be a 77,000-square-foot Centre of Community designed to serve more than 10,000 people across Barrie and Simcoe County. Opening in 2027, the $70 million project will feature a full aquatics centre with swimming programs for all ages, a gymnasium and indoor track for fitness, recreation and community gatherings, as well as 12 units of youth transitional housing offering safe and supportive accommodations. It will also include health partnerships with RVH to deliver cancer and cardiac rehabilitation programs, along with accessible, intergenerational spaces where families, seniors, newcomers and youth can connect.
