A Top-Tier Recreation Facility in the Heart of Downtown Halifax

Funding provided through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (inactive).

“I always think about if I didn’t have the Y, where would I be?” says Adrius, a new Haligonian hailing from Montreal.

Nestled at the base of the historic Citadel Hill in Downtown Halifax stands the John W. Lindsay YMCA: a building that has quickly become a cornerstone in the city. Its modern façade houses an impressive 6,500 square meters of recreation space including three pools, two levels of weight rooms, a full basketball court, a running track and a variety of athletic studios.

The creation of this vibrant hub began in 2017 when construction kicked off after a combined investment from the YMCA with the federal and provincial governments. It was not just a local project, but rather a collaborative effort amongst all parties for a healthier, more active community. After opening its doors in 2020, it’s clear that this pursuit paid off: the facility has become renowned for recreation downtown, serving close to 6,000 members, and offering hundreds of programs annually.

The building rose from the site of the old CBC building, which had been a historical fixture in Halifax from 1944 to 2014. Shifting from radio airwaves to physical activity, the new YMCA became a place where people of all ages could come together, get moving, and engage with each other in ways that promote both physical and social well-being. Over the summer, the facility hosts day camps for kids aged 5 to 12, who enjoy organized games, swimming, sports, and crafts. Throughout the year, the gym is bustling with group fitness classes, pick-up basketball, pickleball, badminton, and youth and senior programming. While in the pool, swimming classes, lane swims, and aquafit programs fill the lanes.

But it’s not just about the fitness: Adrius’ story is an example of the residents’ yearning for a sense of belonging within their community. The John W. Lindsay YMCA provides a much-needed space for Haligonians while simultaneously serving as a symbol of what’s possible when communities and governments come together.

The facility is a modern community space in a growing Halifax, representing both innovation and communal well-being. The federal government’s contribution to the building’s construction has helped provide Haligonians with access to a valuable recreation space that might have once seemed out of reach. For those who walk through its doors, it’s clear that it represents more than just a building – the YMCA is a vital part of the city’s heart, and a place where the people of Halifax can feel like they belong.

Quick facts:

• The New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP) provided funding to support infrastructure projects of national and regional significance that contributed to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia each contributed up to $5 million for the construction for the facility, while the YMCA provided $22.9 million.
• The City of Halifax contributed by approving the Municipal Site Plan Amendment, which allowed the project site density to be increased, and an increase in the land value by $4.066 million.

For more information, visit:

• Federal Infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia
• YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth