City of Sydney appoints YMCA to manage major aquatic and fitness facilities

The YMCA has announced that it has successfully tendered for the management of two City of Sydney-owned aquatic & fitness facilities; the Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre and the Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

The win follows a competitive tender process at the end of last year and, according to a statement from the YMCA of Sydney, demonstrates "the Y's ongoing commitment to providing industry-leading aquatic, health and fitness programs at these facilities, since first being appointed to manage Ian

Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre in August 2007, and Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre in February 2008."

YMCA of Sydney General Manager Richard Price explained that there had been approximately two million visits to Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre since opening under Y management, with annual visitor numbers of more than 500,000.

Price attributes thesenumbers to both the Centre's state-of-the-art facilities as well as the Y's range of qualityand family-focussed programs. Likewise, Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre attracts an average of more than 500,000 visitors each year.

Price added "we feel honoured to have been appointed by the City of Sydney to manage its two flagship facilities.

"This is the ultimate measure of the work we've been doing over the last four years and the impact we are having on the local community.

"We feel our success is due to a combination of robust programming, experienced staff and unbeatable aquatic, health and fitness facilities. These things, coupled with the Y difference of focussing on family, healthy living, developing young people and those less fortunate, will ensure both Centre's go from strength to strength over the next decade."

The partnership between the Y and the City of Sydney has also resulted in a number of awards for both Centres. These include:

• 2011 Aquatic Recreation Institute Facility of the Year - Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre;
• 2011 Park & Leisure Australia NSW/ACT Award for Sustainable initiatives - Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre;
• 2011 Swim Australia Community Excellence Award - Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre;
• 2010 & 2011 Fitness Australia Health Club Finalist - Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre;
• 2009 Aquatic Recreation Institute Facility of the Year - Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre
This landmark $40 million facility, housed in a distinctive wave-form building, was named in honour of five times Gold Medal winning Olympic Champion Ian Thorpe.
The Centre offers a range of health and aquatic programs and services to cater for the diverse ages, interests and abilities of its surrounding communities. Services include personal training, group fitness, aquatic education (learn-to-swim), squad training, personal health services, and school programs.

Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre
Located in the heart of the Sydney CBD near St Mary's Cathedral, Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre provides world-class swimming, fitness, sporting and recreational facilities within a picturesque parkland setting. Services include swim schools, swim squad, aquarobics, school holiday aquatic programs, cardio studio, weights studio, personal training, group fitness and spin classes.

For more information go to www.ymcasydney.org

Image shows the Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

22nd December 2010 - NEW MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR YMCA SYDNEY

17th June 2010 - IAN THORPE AQUATIC CENTRE REACHES 1 MILLION VISITORS