People protest planned closing of downtown YMCA

PITTSBURGH — Petitioners met up with the mayor of Pittsburgh on Tuesday to protest a plan to shut down the downtown YMCA.

Advocates of the plan say it will save up to $1 million a year, but protesters said the stop is critical for a lot of city programs.

Felicia Snyder admits it's been difficult to watch her gym and community center slowly be taken apart.

"Right now, the gym's still open but you can see things coming down and it's so sad," Snyder said.

By next Friday, the YMCA plans on moving out of its downtown location near Market Square, but Snyder's still hoping for a miracle.

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"We're hoping that by getting them to see all of these signatures, how many people are interested and invested and want to help however possible, that we can light some sort of fire under somebody and say lets come to the table and figure this out," Snyder said.

On Tuesday, Snyder and fitness instructor Heather Roberts brought the petition to the mayor's office and the county executive calling on them to intervene to keep the facility open.

"We have 500 signatures and I think we had maybe three days. If we had more time I think the number would have easily doubled if not more."

Earlier this month, the YMCA declared bankruptcy and said it would close the downtown YMCA June 8th due to financial concerns.

In its 2016 tax filings, the most recent available, the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA listed more than $30 million in liabilities.

When asked about the petition, a YMCA spokeswoman said their discussions with the landlord and the legal proceedings are ongoing.

Cox Media Group