Heather Wright/ The Independent

Petrolia Y officials say while more people are using the recreation centre, there still aren’t as
many people using the facility as before the pandemic.

Wade Babula appeared before council Feb. 9 for his yearly report on activities.

Babula says by the end of 2025, there were 1,180 members at the Petrolia Y, up from 1,148 at the end of 2024.

“We’re just seeing that kind of steady increase year to year,” he told Feb. 9.

“Last year, we managed to hit a peak of about 1, 330 in March. Right now… (there is) 1,280 so even that, we’re getting close to where we like to be with our memberships.

“Ideally, we’d like to be over that 1,300 number. If we could get to 1,400 would be fantastic and I know we’ve got a few ideas in the works to try and push those numbers up.”

Babula says some of the employees have ideas how to boost interest in the programs particularly at the pool. He noted, however, the town’s swim pass is being well used, with 54 passes sold in 2025 and 45 of those being actively used.

Babula says they’re also helping more people access services at the Y.

“One of our focuses this year as well, was financial assistance. So being nonprofit and a charity, we’re able to support families that maybe have financial barriers.

“Last year, about 17 per cent of our membership was financially assisted; this year, that number has moved to 21 per cent or … about 260 of our membership base,” he says.

That amounts to about $39,000 in assistance, most of which was raised with local fundraisers.

Even with improving membership numbers, Babula says the Y still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic numbers. That drives up the deficit to run the community centre which is paid for with taxpayers dollars.

In 2026, the town anticipates contributing $511,786 in funding compared to $490,865 in 2025.