The YMCA in the Guy-Favreau complex in downtown Montreal has been given a reprieve.
It was threatened with closure because it couldn't afford the $240,000 in rent, but on Friday, the head of the province's YMCA's confirmed that a deal will keep the Y's doors open for the next year, while they search for a permanent solution.
The petition was signed by more than 3,000 people. For Phil Chu, losing the YMCA would have been a personal loss.
"I'm a volunteer here. I've been a volunteer for al most three years," Chu told CTV Montreal. "When I was going through personal difficulties like, financially, the Y allowed me to join the volunteer program and still be part of the community and even when I finally got back on my feet, I decided to still be part of the community. I just don't want to give it up."