The former YMCA building is once again the center of downtown activity. A temporary emergency shelter moved into the vacant facility last week. On Wednesday, a privately owned health club will open.
For six years, the YMCA has been the fitness center in downtown Regina. It closed two years ago.
Fitness director Rod Flahr said the new fitness area will suit any type of athlete.
“Clinical exerciser, physiologist, physical therapist, myself, my high end trainer for elite athletes or amateur athletes. You can get the best educational experience here in Saskatchewan that I know of, and I have 33 years,” he said.
New members are invited to tour the revamped facility for a pre-opening tour. Brayden Fox occasionally works out here at the YMCA.
“[It’s] Sad, I guess, to see it sit empty for the last year or two because the Y wasn’t around, so it’s nice to see some energy, it’s being brought back into service, and what The Nest is trying to do, it’s Super cool,” he said.
For the next three months, The Nest will work alongside Regina’s temporary emergency shelter.
Once the facility is decommissioned, the gym and swimming pool will be remodeled. Construction can then begin on medical offices, diagnostic services, 24-hour pharmacy and day care.
Neha Jain, communications director at The Nest, said the wellness center will be run by a team of doctors.
“Initiatives and partnerships like this really allow us to reduce some of the touchpoints across the health care system,” she said.
With one of Regina’s longest-running fitness venues back in business, the opening of The Nest this week will feel like home for those who’ve been to the downtown YMCA.
