For immediate release
Calgary, May 16, 2016 – Great Gulf is entering Calgary in a big way: making a mark on the future through land development and demonstrating a commitment to the community by supporting women and their children.
Today at 10:00 a.m. the YWCA of Calgary (YWCA) will host a cheque presentation and media opportunity on the south patio of their downtown site at 320 5th Avenue SE to celebrate the generous donation made by Great Gulf, the purchaser of the site.
Along with the cash donation, Great Gulf offered a two year no-cost lease back to the YWCA for the existing facility. Following negotiations between the organizations, a lease extension of two years has been negotiated which provides the YWCA even greater stability over the next four years to plan for and develop a new site.
“The generosity of Great Gulf is extraordinary and kicks off our future plans in grand way,” says Sue Tomney, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA “the donation, coupled with the no-cost two year lease and subsequent two year extension ensures the YWCA can provide consistency for the women and families we support while we develop a new facility that is better designed to adapt to changing needs of women in our community.”
The lease, which now extends to November 2019 will provide the YWCA a degree of certainty from which to offer services, plan for the future and move into a new facility with minimal impact to clients, staff and the community.
Selection of a future YWCA hub site and development partners is underway and expected to be announced within the month. Programs and services at both the YWCA Sheriff King Home and downtown sites continue uninterrupted, with added time and space to make smooth transition plans.
“Calgary has consistently been one of Canada’s most dynamic cities, with a youth, vitality and spirit that is both engaging and endearing. At Great Gulf, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to transform the YWCA block and adjacent lands to create an exciting new downtown district perfectly situated between the East Village, the financial core and the Bow river.” said Great Gulf President Christopher Wein. “The master plan for this development will include substantial residential, commercial, office and institutional uses.”
For more than 105 years the YWCA has been part of the Calgary landscape. In 2015, more than 6,700 unique individuals were supported through shelter and short-stay accommodations, employment and language training, childcare and parenting programs. The future YWCA hub facility will ensure the organization is better positioned to respond to the changing needs of women in Calgary while deepening their connections and delivering on their vision of women thriving in a safe and equitable community.
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About the YWCA of Calgary:
The YWCA is the largest and longest serving women’s organizations in Calgary. Through its 105 year history, the organization has touched hundreds of thousands of lives and evolved its programs to meet the changing needs of women. The YWCA offers programs that create a continuum of service for women and families who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, family violence and isolation. www.ywcalgary.ca.
About Great Gulf:
Established in 1975, the Great Gulf Group of companies including Great Gulf, Ashton Woods Homes, First Gulf Corporation, Tucker HiRise Construction, H+ME Technology and Taboo Resort Golf and Spa, is one of North America’s premier real estate organizations. With major projects in Canada and the United States, the company’s fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum. www.greatgulf.com
For information and interview inquiries please contact:
Carla Link
Manager, Marketing & Communications
YWCA of Calgary
Phone: 403.705.5779 l Cell: 587.228.8663 l Email: clink@ywcalgary.ca
Madeline Zito
Vice President, Public Relations
Great Gulf
Phone: 416.744.2222 Cell: 647.938.1851 Email: madeline.zito@greatgulf.com
Media Release: YWCA Celebrates donation from land purchaser
