THE YMCA in Newport has announced it will close “until further notice” after losing what is described as a “critical funding stream”.
The centre and its grounds, in the Pill area of Newport, houses conference and meeting rooms, a café, climbing wall, sports hall basketball pitch, football pitch and recording studio.
Improvements and upgrades to the facilities had been ongoing since May 2017, according to the YMCA’s website.
But on Monday, January 28, YMCA Newport announced they would be closing, and advised any groups or individuals who have made booking or have left items in their Mendalgief Road building to get in touch.
According to their statement, the closure has come after a loss of funding last year. The centre will close on Friday, February 1.
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“The board of trustees have had to take the extremely difficult decision to close the charity as a result of losing a crucial funding stream at the end of 2018 and the ongoing challenging economic environment,” the statement reads.
It continues: “YMCA remains committed to the local community and is in talks with Newport City Council to find a way forward for the facility.
“We would like to thank all of our staff, volunteers and service users for their dedication and support over the years.”
Pride in Pill chairman Paul Murphy said the closure of the YMCA was a “big loss to the community”.
He added: “It will be so sad to see the YMCA in Pill closing this Friday.
“The centre did a lot for the community and we will all miss it. Pride in Pill had some good events there, and we were looking to have the community Christmas party at the YMCA. It is so sad, and worrying, to think about the futures of the staff who work there.”
A spokesman for Newport City Council confirmed informal discussions were ongoing with the YMCA to give advice about potential future uses for the building.
“The only service provided by the council in the building is a holiday playscheme,” added the spokesman. “This would have continued, as the venue is a registered setting, if the building had remained open.”
Repeated attempts to contact YMCA Wales for comment were unsuccessful.
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