A lawsuit has been filed against the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka over the sale of Geneva Park.
A group known as Friends of Geneva Park (FoGP) announced legal action yesterday opposing the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s (YSM) sale of Geneva Park to private purchaser Commercial Realty Group.
It says the sale of Geneva Park to a private purchaser, for profit purposes is completely incongruent with the pre-existing and historical intention of the park and its stakeholders of the past 100 years.
“Selling the property by way of a private sale as the YSM is doing, has failed to consider its promises and representations made to the Geneva Park family program community over the years,” says Doug Simpson, FoGP
Board Member. “In our view, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka has violated the trust upon which it holds Geneva
Park.”
The group says the legal action is the last resort for the FoGP, following 15 months of attempted collaboration between the Geneva Park community and the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.
For more details on the lawsuit, please click here.
YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka has since issued a statement:
Earlier this month, we shared with you that our Board of Directors had reached an agreement with a buyer committed to the restoration and rejuvenation of Geneva Park, and preserving the legacy of the property for years to come.
In response to our proposed sale of Geneva Park, a group called the Friends of Geneva Park issued a media release yesterday. In this release, they announced a lawsuit against our proposed sale of the Park
We are disappointed in this development, given the comprehensive process that was designed in collaboration with community stakeholders. We remain confident that the process, supported by Colliers Not-for-Profit and Unique Properties Group, yielded the best possible outcome that balanced our need to ensure the financial sustainability of our charity with the best community use and the continued legacy of the Park.
As we have shared, the buyer has a demonstrated track record of breathing new life into important destinations throughout the region and is committed to the restoration and rejuvenation of Geneva Park and to preserving the legacy of the property for years to come.
We continue to be focused on and optimistic about the future and the many possibilities it holds for all who love Geneva Park. Unfortunately, the legal application may delay the opportunity for those who care about Geneva Park to begin creating a renewed future for it.
We will continue to move forward in the same manner in which we move forward in all our efforts – with our regional community at the forefront, and with our YMCA values of caring, honesty, inclusiveness, respect and responsibility.
We are committed to providing updates as we continue to move through this process. Thank you for your commitment to the future of Geneva Park.
Earlier this month, we shared with you that our Board of Directors had reached an agreement with a buyer committed to the restoration and rejuvenation of Geneva Park, and preserving the legacy of the property for years to come. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/bS7kc0n0c8
— YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka (@YMCASM) April 28, 2022
We are committed to providing updates as we continue to move through this process. Thank you for your commitment to the future of Geneva Park.
For continued updates, please visit https://t.co/YWhXWeXEN0 (8/8)
— YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka (@YMCASM) April 28, 2022