Soon in Regina, the former downtown YMCA building’s doors are opening again, as the The Nest Health Center starts its mission of improving well-being in the community.

Unlike most traditional medical facilities, The Nest’s has an collaborative approach toward healthcare. The Nest’s communications director Neha Jain describes it to be “a one-stop medical facility” that brings a wide variety of healthcare practitioners under the same roof. 

According to the experience of the physicians who run The Nest, poor connectivity in accessing medical creates challenges for Saskatchewan families. 

“If you go to see your doctor, more times than not they will want to run some tests. You leave to make an appointment and go somewhere else to get those tests done, and after that, you must re-book with your doctor. The Nest allows you to do all those things without making multiple appointments or leaving the building,” Jain says. 

Beyond medical well-being, The Nest focuses on preventative healthcare services. While the clinic is under renovation until summer 2023, the Fitness Centre will be opening next Wednesday on Feb. 1.  

According to Jain, The Nest have managed to attract quite a lot of attention among the community, likely because of “the legacy of downtown YMCA.” 

“We are getting constant emails and messages on social media from people who are excited and interested in our work,” Jain says.  

Fitness centers can create a wonderful starting point for a healthier lifestyle. The Nest’s brand-new fitness center’s gym is equipped with different experts in mind, and they will be offering a variety of group classes and personal training.

In addition to the gym, the members can access racquetball and squash courts. Later in the future, there will be climbing walls and two swimming pools. 

“We will have everything in the world of wellness that you can imagine,” says Rod Flahr, The Nest’s Director of Fitness. 

Even with over three decades of experience in the sports and fitness industry, Flahr is impressed with the experts he will be working with, describing them to be “one of the best teams I have ever had.” He considers the future possibilities of the Fitness Centre to be almost limitless.  

“It is all up in the air right now. I am going to listen to our members and see what they want, but also create a couple of extra things that are going to keep everybody excited.” 

“People are generally interested in health and becoming fit, and we are now offering them an opportunity to work towards their goals. We can offer so much more than any other facility in the downtown area.”

In addition to its own services, The Nest will provide space for a 40-bed temporary winter shelter for people who are experiencing homelessness. 

The shelter will be opening next Monday, Jan. 30, as an agreement between The Nest, the government of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, and Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services was finalized last Wednesday.  

The decision to let part of the building be used as a shelter was quite easy. It increases the well-being of the community, which lined up perfectly with The Nest’s values. Additionally, the timing could not have been better, after parts of the building are still under renovation and not opening before summer. Now The Nest can make use of its space while continuing with construction. 

“It just made so much sense,” Jain describes the thought process behind the decision.