Recreation:
Community Centres & Facilities

The YMCA in Markham
BY PIRA EBRAHIMI

May 1, 2008 – Markham is a rapidly growing town! In recent years, many newcomers to Canada have chosen to settle with their families here. A number of years ago, the Town of Markham approached the YMCA of Greater Toronto with the prospect of locating a full-service Health, Fitness and Recreation Centre in the Town.

The YMCA's values of inclusion, respect, and community-building were well aligned with the goal to provide a place for all members of the community: to feel welcome, to engage in programs that would promote a healthy and active lifestyle, and to place a focus on the entire family. So work began to build the Markham YMCA Rudy Bratty Centre.

History
The YMCA originated from England in 1853. The first meeting took place in a residential flat in London. During the Industrial Revolution, many young men left their farmland families or rural communities to move to the large cities in pursuit of factory employment opportunities. Many of them, away from home for the first time, found themselves in poor social conditions and unfortunate circumstances.

One young man, by the name of George Williams, decided to do something positive and invited a group of fellows to his flat for a Bible Study. The roots of the YMCA are in fact Christian – the letters used to be an acronym for the title “Young Men’s Christian Association.” Today, the YMCA is an organization that values its origins but serves the young and old, men and women equally, and, instead of focusing exclusively on one religion, celebrates a set of core values that all faiths share:
caring
respect
responsibility
health
inclusion
honesty

These values are an integral part of the way in which YMCA programs are designed and delivered.

George Williams soon discovered that many of the young men in his group could not read or write therefore, a second set of programs was introduced to focus on literacy and education. Continually numbers grew and members of the community joined to volunteer and offer additional tutoring to these learning individuals. A third set of needs were then uncovered – physical activity – and so, recreational sports were introduced: callisthenics, basketball, and volleyball where women also began to participate. The YMCA is truly where basketball was invented!

YMCA Today
155 years later, YMCA, as a volunteer-based organization, continues to offer services in response to the needs of communities worldwide. Services in the GTA include:
Youth shelters
Shelters for battered women
Substance abuse / gambling counselling
Employment skills training
Newcomer services
LINC assessment
Health, fitness and recreation centres
Business centres
Employment resource centres
Youth self-employment benefit programs
Many more!

YMCA is an inclusive-registered charity that has an immense impact on building strong communities. The majority of the programs that are offered are either priced on a "cost-recovery formula" or can be accessed by those who cannot afford the full fees through YMCA's Financial Assistance. This is only possible because YMCA is a “for-the-community, by-the-community” organization.

Don Cousens, the previous Mayor of Markham, provided great leadership to the Capital Campaign that built the Markham YMCA Rudy Bratty Centre with many major corporate businesses in the Town of Markham:
Remington Developments
IBM
American Express
Motorola

Positive for Youth
In 2006, a young high school student joined the Markham YMCA. He was often seen at the Centre during school hours which raised concerns for staff. YMCA approached the youth and discovered he was suspended from school for behavioural problems. He was encouraged to join YMCA's youth activities that he enjoyed most, and eventually became more involved with the community. After a while, he was noticed in a more positive way – this school year, he has not been suspended once!

The Markham YMCA Rudy Bratty Centre has become the place for many residents in the Town of Markham who come together to enhance their spirit, mind, and body. I am proud to be apart of this organization and provide staff with leadership to our philanthropic programs. For information about getting involved with volunteering and fundraising for Markham HFR, or for additional information about Leadership Courses, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Pira Ebrahimi
Tel: 905.513.0884 x452
For other inquires please visit www.ymcatoronto.org.

Markham Community Centres & Facilities

Angus Glen Community Centre
3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 180
1 Gymnasium: 7,500 sq.ft.
4 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 12, 16, 36, 72
2 Arenas: Capacity 450/pad; ice rentals available
1 Swimming Pool: available for rental or recreational swim, splash area
Wheelchair accessible

Armadale Community Centre
2401 Denison Street | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.474.1007

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 100
1 Gymnasium: 7,500 sq.ft.
1 Rock Climbing Wall (full locker room facilities)
4 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 20-50
Wheelchair accessible

Box Grove Community Centre
7651 9th Line | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.472.2570

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 115, LLBO Licensable
Wheelchair accessible

Buttonville Women's Institute
8931 Woodbine Avenue | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 50

Cedar Grove Community Centre
7667 14th Avenue | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.294.5205

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 110, LLBO Licensable

Centennial Community Centre
8600 McCowan Road | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.294.6111

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 180, LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 20-45
1 Arena: Capacity 2,300; Pro Shop, ice & floor rentals available
1 Fitness Centre: fully equipped
1 Swimming Pool: available for rental or recreational swim
Wheelchair accessible

Crosby Community Centre
210 Main Street | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 180, LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 10-20
1 Arena: Ice & floor rentals available

Heintzman House
135 Bay Thorn Drive | Thornhill, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.889.7980

Facility Includes:
1 Grand Ballroom & Solarium: Capacity 120-140, LLBO Licensable
1 Meeting Room: Grand Ballroom & Solarium: Capacity 120-140
Wheelchair accessible

Markham Museum
9350 Highway 48 / 16th Avenue | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.294.4576

Facility Includes:
2 Community Halls: Capacity 120, 100; LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Church Hall and Outdoor Pavillion: Capacity 100
Picnic Area, Garden/Tours, Pavillion Area, 25-acre Heritage Village

Markham Seniors Activity Centre
22 Water Street | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.294.5111

Facility Includes:
1 Banquet Hall: Capacity 125, LLBO Licensable
1 Theatre: Capacity 180, LLBO Licensable
3 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 25, 25, 30
Wheelchair accessible

Markham Theatre for Performing Arts
171 Town Centre Boulevard | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.415.7537

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 528, LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 120, 12
1 Box Office: Call 905.305.7469 for upcoming presentations
Wheelchair accessible

Markham Village Community Centre
6041 Highway 7, East | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.294.6111

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 180, LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 60, 20
1 Arena: Ice & floor rentals available
Wheelchair accessible

Markham Village Train Station
214 Main Street, North | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.201.1453

Facility Includes:
2 Community Hall: Capacity 30, 100; LLBO Licensable
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 30, 100; LLBO Licensable
Wheelchair accessible

Markham YMCA Rudy Bratty Centre
101 YMCA Boulevard | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.513.9622 | Fax: 905.513.3962
Send Email | Launch Website

Facility Includes:
Health, Fitness, and Recreation Centre
Child Care Centre / Day Camp
Employment Centre

Milliken Mills Community Centre
7600 Kennedy Road, Unit 2 | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.477.6410

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 333, LLBO Licensable
4 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 10-40
1 Arena: Capacity 2,300; Pro Shop, ice & floor rentals, skate rentals available
1 Swimming Pool: available for rental or recreational swim, whirlpool & sauna
Wheelchair accessible

Milliken Mills Soccer Dome
7700 Kennedy Road | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.477.6410 X3322

Facility Includes:
1 Field: Size 118 X 220, indoor turf
1 Meeting Room: Capacity 20
Wheelchair accessible

Mount Joy Community Centre
6096 16th Avenue | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.471.8755

Facility Includes:
1 Indoor Activity Area: Size 200 X 100, carpeted floor
1 Meeting Room: Capacity 16
1 Arena: Ice & floor rentals available

Old Unionville Library Community Centre
221 Main Street | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 90, LLBO Licensable
Wheelchair accessible

RJ Clatworthy Arena
2400 John Street at Don Mills | Thornhill, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3800

Facility Includes:
1 Meeting Room: Capacity 20
1 Arena: Ice & floor rentals available
Wheelchair accessible

Rouge River Community Centre
120 Rouge Bank Drive, Unit 2 | Markham, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.474.1007

Facility Includes:
1 Auditorium: Capacity 200
1 Poolside Lounge: Capacity 80
1 Outdoor Swimming Pool
Wheelchair accessible

Thornhill Community & Seniors Centre
7755 Bayview Avenue | Thornhill, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3800

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 150-500, LLBO Licensable
1 Lounge: Capacity 80, LLBO Licensable
5 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 8-40
2 Arenas: Lounge Capacity 120; Pro Shop, ice & floor rentals available
2 Fitness Centres: fully equipped
1 Swimming Pool: 8075 Bayview Avenue
1 Therapeutic Pool: 755 Bayview Avenue
Seniors Centre Programs: call 905.881.1006
Wheelchair accessible

Unionville Train Station Community Centre
7 Station Lane | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
2 Community Halls: Capacity 50

Varley Art Gallery
216 Main Street | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.477.9511

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 50-146
1 Meeting Room: Capacity 50-70
Wheelchair accessible

Victoria Square Community Centre
2929 Elgin Mills Road, East | Gormley, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.887.2798

Facility Includes:
2 Community Hall: Capacity 70, 150
2 Meeting Rooms: Capacity 70, 150
Ideal for Craft Shows and Auction Sales
Wheelchair accessible

Warden House Community Centre
8840 Warden Avenue (heritage home) | Unionville, Ontario
Contacts: Tel: 905.944.3777

Facility Includes:
1 Community Hall: Capacity 50, LLBO Licensable
1 Meeting Room: Capacity 50, LLBO Licensable
Unionville Lions Club Meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays each month