YMCA Centres of Community in Toronto and Vaughan Certified LEED Platinum

February 12, 2024 – The YMCA of Greater Toronto is thrilled that The YMCA at The David Braley Vaughan Centre and The Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA are now certified LEED Platinum.

LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of high-performance green buildings. The Platinum certification is the highest possible rating and recognizes the Y’s efforts to incorporate green building strategies such as highly efficient mechanical and electrical systems to save energy and water while reducing emissions. Both centres have also been designed with climate resilience in mind and can act as public community reception centres during climate emergencies.

• The 65,000 square foot Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA is a YMCA Centre of Community and includes a gym, a pool, group fitness studios, a conditioning room, and spaces for youth and community programs. It is located on the ground floor of The Beech House Condos. The LEED Platinum project incorporates highly efficient mechanical and electrical systems to save energy and water while reducing emissions. The project also includes a range of sustainable design strategies and materials including a green roof, bicycle parking, locally-produced low-emission materials with high recycled content, and certified wood.
• The YMCA at The David Braley Vaughan Centre provides services and programs to support the physical, social and mental health of those living and working in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. This incredible 80,000 square foot facility includes a pool, gym, conditioning centre and community rooms and offers YMCA programs as health and fitness, child care, and camp. Co-located with VMC Library and VMC Express, Vaughan Studios and Event Space, and a commercial office building, the YMCA is immediately adjacent to the terminal station of the Toronto-York-Spadina subway extension. The LEED Platinum project incorporates highly efficient mechanical and electrical systems to save energy and water while reducing emissions. The project also includes a range of sustainable design strategies and materials including bicycle parking, locally-produced low-emission materials with high recycled content, and certified wood.

Both Ys opened in mid-2022. 

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is grateful for the donors, funders, and partners who made these Centres of Community possible.

Being a community-focused charity, sustainability has long been an important part of the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s efforts to create vibrant communities. To learn more about the Y’s sustainability efforts, visit ymcagta.org/green.

About the YMCA of Greater Toronto  

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead and give back to their communities. For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families and seniors. Promoting equity and boosting well-being across more than 460 locations in the Greater Toronto Area, the Y is a leading charity that helps everyone shine. 

More information on the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s comprehensive sustainability strategy can be found in its annual Sustainability Report at www.ymcagta.org/green.