I recently (3 weeks ago) facilitated a coaching course at this club to 4 very enthusiastic Cape Breton squash members. They were so excited to get some more programming going for kids, for women and for families. The positive energy in the room was palatable and I too was excited for what was to come. Then, 2 days later, with ZERO consultation, this devastating news. The YMCA is to provide programming for families. Unlike spin, squash can be played with and by the entire family - kids and adults alike. It is not inclusive of ALL programming to take away one for the sake of another. The YMCA needs to talk to and listen to and understand all their members - not just the spin members. Two fully functioning squash courts are essential for accessible and inclusive programming and events for all. Save these courts!!!
D
Darrin McLean
3 years ago
The two squash courts at the Y in Sydney are important infrastructure for the community and once its gone its not coming back. I bet the cost to build a new squash court is upwards of $100,000 and the management at the YMCA of Cape Breton is planning to permanently remove one of the courts so they can create a room for exercise bikes?! It's shameful and foolish. That's like owning an 18 hole golf course and removing two of the holes so you can build a basketball court in the middle. They need to rethink their decision and find other ways to make better use of the available space in the building.
M
Madeleine Jeffery
3 years ago
I wholeheartedly support the letter penned by Nathan Crouse and wonder why there is such a pressing need to create more spin class space when the existing one is often laying idle
B
Brendan MacDonald
3 years ago
Squash this idea!
S
Simon Petitpas
3 years ago
Featured
Squash is awesome! My daughter is talking Nursing at CBU, the awesome squash community at the YMCA helps her stay fit and active. If the court closes it will mean the distraction of a great community. So sad. Squash is one of the healthiest sports in the world, a sport people can play at any age or fitness level. It’s not just a sport but a passion for so many.
M
Mark Beaton
3 years ago
This is where I began my obsession with the sport!
P
Paul Martin
3 years ago
Save the squash courts!!!
P
Peter Comeau
3 years ago
According to a survey by Forbes Magazine, squash was rated top of the leader board for healthiest sports in the WORLD.
R
Robyn Kydd
3 years ago
Lifelong squash player thanks to one set of squash courts in my small town. Such an important and inclusive sporting community - would be a real loss.
D
Darlene oursin
3 years ago
Always closing something around here!
M
Matthew Ramsay
3 years ago
Please keep the courts!!!!
R
Rick Murray
3 years ago
YMCA Mission: The YMCA of Cape Breton is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body, and to their sense of responsibility to each other and the global community.
Although I can admire the YMCA's goal to increase their local programming opportunities, I fail to see how increasing programming options would align with this mission compared to supporting the squash community. A spin studio, I would argue, is more related to programming. Supporting Cape Breton Squash is based around community building.
Squash is Community. A spin studio, not so much.
Please reconsider.
D
Dan Hasselman
3 years ago
Squash is one of the best cardiovascular activities one can participate in. Converting a squash court for alternative purposes eliminates access to a sport that promotes heart health and a healthy life style. The YMCA should be PROMOTING the sport and determine uptake in usage prior to making the decision to convert it for other uses. Stationary bikes can be put in various locations, but squash requires specific facilities. Please reconsider this shift.
A
Ashley Gorman
3 years ago
We need to promote the sport in this region, some really great players around.
J
Joe Besso
3 years ago
We don't need to lose any more squash courts anywhere in Canada
J
Joseph lefort
3 years ago
a lot of time and consideration went into the design and reno of the Y including the squash courts.
L
Laura Crouse
3 years ago
Featured
This renovation will kill the sport of squash in Cape Breton. As we see more and more people moving here from other provinces as well as the building of the new NSCC campus, I feel that the timing of this couldn’t come at a worse time. It is a great activity that can be modified for any age group and is a great way for newcomers to meet people.
E
Emily Burke
3 years ago
These courts bring squash players, such as myself, from all over the atlantic provinces to play squash and be apart of the wonderful community in Cape Breton! Dont get rid of them for a spin studio thats so lame. You could literally go ride a bike outside why do you have to do it inside?
Save the court!
Save the courts!!
I recently (3 weeks ago) facilitated a coaching course at this club to 4 very enthusiastic Cape Breton squash members. They were so excited to get some more programming going for kids, for women and for families. The positive energy in the room was palatable and I too was excited for what was to come. Then, 2 days later, with ZERO consultation, this devastating news. The YMCA is to provide programming for families. Unlike spin, squash can be played with and by the entire family - kids and adults alike. It is not inclusive of ALL programming to take away one for the sake of another. The YMCA needs to talk to and listen to and understand all their members - not just the spin members. Two fully functioning squash courts are essential for accessible and inclusive programming and events for all. Save these courts!!!
The two squash courts at the Y in Sydney are important infrastructure for the community and once its gone its not coming back. I bet the cost to build a new squash court is upwards of $100,000 and the management at the YMCA of Cape Breton is planning to permanently remove one of the courts so they can create a room for exercise bikes?! It's shameful and foolish. That's like owning an 18 hole golf course and removing two of the holes so you can build a basketball court in the middle. They need to rethink their decision and find other ways to make better use of the available space in the building.
I wholeheartedly support the letter penned by Nathan Crouse and wonder why there is such a pressing need to create more spin class space when the existing one is often laying idle
Squash this idea!
Squash is awesome! My daughter is talking Nursing at CBU, the awesome squash community at the YMCA helps her stay fit and active. If the court closes it will mean the distraction of a great community. So sad. Squash is one of the healthiest sports in the world, a sport people can play at any age or fitness level. It’s not just a sport but a passion for so many.
This is where I began my obsession with the sport!
Save the squash courts!!!
According to a survey by Forbes Magazine, squash was rated top of the leader board for healthiest sports in the WORLD.
Lifelong squash player thanks to one set of squash courts in my small town. Such an important and inclusive sporting community - would be a real loss.
Always closing something around here!
Please keep the courts!!!!
YMCA Mission: The YMCA of Cape Breton is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body, and to their sense of responsibility to each other and the global community. Although I can admire the YMCA's goal to increase their local programming opportunities, I fail to see how increasing programming options would align with this mission compared to supporting the squash community. A spin studio, I would argue, is more related to programming. Supporting Cape Breton Squash is based around community building. Squash is Community. A spin studio, not so much. Please reconsider.
Squash is one of the best cardiovascular activities one can participate in. Converting a squash court for alternative purposes eliminates access to a sport that promotes heart health and a healthy life style. The YMCA should be PROMOTING the sport and determine uptake in usage prior to making the decision to convert it for other uses. Stationary bikes can be put in various locations, but squash requires specific facilities. Please reconsider this shift.
We need to promote the sport in this region, some really great players around.
We don't need to lose any more squash courts anywhere in Canada
a lot of time and consideration went into the design and reno of the Y including the squash courts.
This renovation will kill the sport of squash in Cape Breton. As we see more and more people moving here from other provinces as well as the building of the new NSCC campus, I feel that the timing of this couldn’t come at a worse time. It is a great activity that can be modified for any age group and is a great way for newcomers to meet people.
These courts bring squash players, such as myself, from all over the atlantic provinces to play squash and be apart of the wonderful community in Cape Breton! Dont get rid of them for a spin studio thats so lame. You could literally go ride a bike outside why do you have to do it inside?