DeGasperis-Ronco, Cortellucci take on YMCA capital campaign challenge

YMCA site scheduled to open in 2020

Yorkregion.com
December 3, 2019
Chris Traber

Clearly, Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco and Peter Cortellucci are equally comfortable navigating a bustling construction site as they are negotiating in a corporate board room.

A month after Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua named the two business leaders as co-chairs of the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Strong Start, Great Future capital campaign cabinet, they braved the November chill attired in hard hats, safety boots and vests to guide a tour through the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre YMCA site scheduled to open in 2020.

The appointments, announced by Bevilacqua and YMCA of Greater Toronto president and CEO Medhat Mahdy, already appear to be an astute choice.

DeGasperis-Ronco, who grew up in the community, is principal and co-founder of OPUS Homes. Cortellucci, a Vaughan resident, serves as vice-president of the Cortel Group. Both are savvy in the complex realms of urban development and share the 165-year-old YMCA’s commitment to making communities stronger and setting people of all ages on the road to success.

The pair, along with a Vaughan cabinet comprised of prominent volunteers, will be tasked to raise $14 million from the community. Those funds augment financial support from the City of Vaughan, the YMCA of Greater Toronto and provincial and federal governments.

As Canada’s fastest growing municipality between 1996 and 2006, Vaughan’s population growth rate was 80.2 per cent. With more than 306,000 residents, the timing for the new 77,000-square-foot YMCA, located with a Vaughan public library and performing arts centre, is ideal, said DeGasperis-Ronco.

“The Y will create a brighter and more connected Vaughan for years to come,” she said.

“Many people look at the Y as just gym and swim,” said Cortellucci. “This new Y offers more than just physical fitness. The focus is also on mental and social well-being.”

Traversing the high-tech site, the twosome point out the future amenities and activities, including youth leadership programming with employment and volunteer opportunities, a professional recording studio, a disability ramp access pool and adjacent pool with an elevator floor along with a multi-sport gym, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, meeting and special event rooms, and studios for yoga, Pilates and Bootcamp training. Licensed child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers is also available, in addition to programs for older citizens.

DeGasperis-Ronco and Cortellucci exude an infectious enthusiasm and confidence in their mission. Despite the rigours of their full-time jobs and making time for family, the pair are ramping up strategies to raise monies and awareness for the building and purpose they believe in.

“Our families have always been philanthropic,” DeGasperis-Ronco said. “I’ve seen the impact and difference that has made on my generation. This is a great cause. It’s completely challenging, but I feel it’s important to give back to the community I grew up in.”

Cortellucci echoed the sentiment, adding that he was raised in a generational culture that embraced benevolence.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” he said. “Donating my time to help the youth in our community speaks to me. I feel it’s my duty and responsibility.”

The millennials are also looking to change certain perceptions.

“There are conversations about our generation not doing anything,” Cortellucci said with a chuckle. “We hope to change that.”

To make a donation, visit VaughanYMCA.ca or contact Martha.Spears@ymcagta.org. You can also find out more about volunteering by contacting Katie.Lowe@ymcagta.org.