YMCA takeover of West Kelowna’s Johnson Bentley pool on track for January

The YMCA is on schedule to take over operations of West Kelowna’s Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre on Jan. 1, with most staffing arrangements now in place.

The YMCA of Southern Interior B.C. says the facility’s management team has accepted positions with the new operator, while hiring and onboarding for remaining staff is nearing completion.

The YMCA was selected by the City of West Kelowna in August to replace longtime operator Active Living Enterprises.

The transition will require a brief facility closure in early January. The pool and entire facility will be closed Jan. 1 through 3, followed by limited access to the registration desk from Jan. 4 to 7, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The pool, gym and drop-in programs will reopen Jan. 8, with registered programs resuming Jan. 9.

YMCA president and CEO Allyson Graf says the goal is to make the change as seamless as possible, maintaining familiar programs, staff and the community atmosphere people have come to expect.

The City of West Kelowna says supporting both facility users and employees remains a priority throughout the transition.

Program information, registration and facility updates will continue to be available through the city’s Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre webpage.

The YMCA says additional details will be released in the coming weeks as it prepares to assume operations.