Posted Mar 21, 2008, 9:10 PM
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New downtown Vancouver YMCA to be named after benefactor
Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, March 21, 2008
VANCOUVER - The downtown YMCA building in Vancouver has a new name.
The facility, currently under construction at 955 Burrard Street, will now be known as the Robert Lee YMCA, in recognition of a $2-million donation from the Vancouver-born entrepreneur.
In a press release, Lee said he made the contribution to encourage young people and kids to participate in the YMCA and enjoy healthier and happier lives.
Children and youth need to get active and stay active in life, for themselves, their families and the health of their communities, as they grow and give back wherever life may lead them," Lee said in the statement.
A 45-year member of the YMCA, Lee was a frequent user of the old downtown gym facility.
It's a place, he said, where "I can just be myself ... I'm very proud to be associated with the YMCA."
Lee, a 1956 graduate of the University of B.C., is well known in the city for his success in real estate, building up businesses such as the Wall Financial Corporation and the Prospero Group.
A former chancellor and long-time patron of UBC, Lee is also a recipient of both the Order of B.C. and the Order of Canada. Bill Stewart, head of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, said Lee's donation is a milestone as the association looks to raising a total of $10 million towards the completion of the new facility.
Upon completion, the Robert Lee YMCA will offer 95,000 sq.ft. and six floors of recreational facilities and programs geared to men, women, children, youth, families and seniors.
The top two floors will be home to a new 69-space YMCA childcare program.
The YMCA of Greater Vancouver, founded in 1886, saw close to 65,000 people come through its doors in 2006, attending everything from mentoring programs to summer camps - and almost half were under the age of 18.
© Vancouver Sun
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