YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick Celebrates Grand Opening of Crabtree Hall at the Glenn Carpenter Centre
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2025
Saint John, NB – Yesterday, the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick celebrated the Grand Opening of Crabtree Hall, a transformative new facility at the Glenn Carpenter Centre. This milestone marks the culmination of a $4.7 million capital campaign, a living tribute to Glenn Carpenter’s legacy, to transform the Glenn Carpenter Centre into a year-round hub with access to nature-based learning, outdoor education, and community connection.
More than 25 years ago, the Glenn Carpenter Centre welcomed just 10 children to its summer day camp program. Today, it stands ready to serve more than 5,000 people each year, through expanded programming, after-school care, outdoor education, and wellness opportunities in every season.
The Crabtree Foundation were in attendance, the leading contributor whose extraordinary generosity made this dream possible. Their support not only helped build Crabtree Hall, but quite literally paved the way, enabling the creation of the new access road into the facility and supporting critical infrastructure that allows the Glenn Carpenter Centre to serve the community 12 months a year.
The celebration brought together government officials, community leaders, donors, and supporters to mark the occasion with a tour of the new facility, and the unveiling of the Crabtree Hall Donor Wall honouring those who made the project possible. Special thanks were extended to local artist Sheryl Crowley, whose vision and support were instrumental in the design of the Crabtree Hall Donor Wall. A beautiful and lasting tribute to the generosity of the community.
The YMCA gratefully acknowledges the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Regional Development Corporation (RDC), and the City of Saint John whose investment helped bring this vision to life.
“This project is an example of what can happen when people come together,” said Shilo Boucher, President & CEO of the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, Crabtree Hall will be a welcoming, space where our community can learn, grow, and build lasting connections with nature and each other.”
Campaign co-chairs Dale and Wendy Knox were in attendance. Dale and Wendy played an instrumental role in bringing this project to life. Their tireless leadership and deep personal connection to the Glenn Carpenter Centre inspired others to give and ensured the success of the campaign from start to finish.
“There are not many communities that have what we have,” said Dale. “Crabtree Hall is more than a building, it reshapes the offerings of the Glenn Carpenter Centre which will continue to empower people to succeed for years to come.”
Thanks to the vision and generosity of donors, Crabtree Hall is now part of Glenn’s living legacy, and those who made it possible are forever part of the Centre’s story.
To learn more about the Glenn Carpenter Centre and how you can support future projects, visit: https://swnb.ymca.ca
—30—
About the YMCA
The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is a trusted charity that ignites the potential in people, fostering lasting personal and social change. We are committed to providing opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services, including health, fitness and recreation, licensed child care, camps, outdoor education, employment, education, newcomer services, leadership development, and volunteer opportunities. With over 20 locations and 89,000 connections across Southwestern New Brunswick, the Y is a leading charity that helps everyone shine.
Media Contact:
Erin Lawlor
Manager of Marketing and Communications
YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick
e.lawlor@yswnb.ca | 506-608-6200