Gungahlin Leisure Centre to launch with open day on 24th May

The doors to the Gungahlin Leisure Centre will open next Saturday (24th May) with the new $28.7 million to host a community open day.

After less than two years of construction, the state-of-the-art will provide a range of aquatic, health and recreation programs and services for Canberra’s most northern residents. The new Centre will offer an eight-lane 50-metre swimming pool, a 25-metre swimming pool, childcare facilities, a fitness centre and a café.

It will also offer group fitness, personal training, teen gym, swimming lessons, school programs and aqua aerobics and will be introducing initiatives that make swimming lessons accessible to those with a disability, migrants who have not learnt to swim and for those whose parents can’t afford lessons.

General Manager Richard Price told the Canberra Times that the YMCA of New South Wales, which was awarded the facilities management contract in March, was looking forward to working with the community and running programs to benefit Gungahlin residents.

Price stated “it is an exciting time.

“We’d like to see it become a community hub that ultimately, not only contributes to the social fabric of Gungahlin, but also the health as well. We’d like to think we can make a difference."

The ACT Government's Sport and Recreation Services awarded the contract for the management of the Centre to the YMCA for a 10 year period, subject to a review after the first two years.

At the time of awarding the contract, David Jeffrey, acting Director of Sport and Recreation Services stated “the Y tender provided by far the best value for money of the tenders received, and, as Australia’s largest provider of aquatic and leisure centre management services, they undoubtedly have all of the necessary skills and expertise needed to successfully operate Canberra’s newest leisure centre.”

On news that the Y had been awarded the contract, YMCA NSW Chief Executive Phillip Hare added “the Y is looking forward to partnering with the ACT Government, local residents and sporting groups, to see the GLC quickly develop as a community hub for families to become happier and healthier together.”

News of the contract being awarded to the Y was also welcomed by the Gungahlin Community Council, (GCC), with its President Ewan Brown stating “it’s an important milestone in the delivery of a vital community resource for which the GCC has campaigned for many years. With its 50 and 25-metre pools, gym facilities and office space, it will service the demands of the fastest growing region in Canberra.

“It will particularly benefit young families and the migrant population in the region, and will improve the awareness of water safety. The GCC looks forwarding to working with the Y to deliver the best possible outcomes for everyone in the Gungahlin community.”

Commenting on the planned GP co-payment announced in the Federal budget, Hare added that Australians need to avoid visiting the doctor which, he suggested, they could do by getting “fit and active.

“Now more than ever, we need to get healthy, and our fitness and aquatic centres are an affordable and accessible place your whole family can be fit and active together.”

“We ... know that prevention is better than cure. Taking steps towards healthy lifestyles will ensure a more positive outlook for Australian families.”

For more information, visit the Gungahlin Leisure Centre website at www.ymcansw.org.au/centres/gungahlin

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