The YMCA of North Bay's Story

This is the manufacturer’s plate that was on a wire recorder used by Lord Thomson of Fleet.  The Thomson media empire has its roots in a North Bay radio station.  In 1964, a fire at the temporary site of the North Bay YMCA caused its future to be in jeopardy.  Having not forgotten the city that launched him, Lord Thomson made a donation of $100,000 towards an indoor pool. 

This leadership gift inspired our Board of Directors to build a full-service YMCA under the same roof.  Eventually, the municipality made it their centennial project and a partnership was struck that is the basis for our operations today. 

This plate reminds us of Lord Thomson without whom the YMCA may not have taken such a big leap forward in 1967.