YMCA grows in Melbourne's west

The YMCA has opened another chapter in its 160 year history in Victoria with the opening of a new 'gym, swim and sports' facility in the western Melbourne suburb of Derrimut.

Marking the 15th facility/service that the 'Y' now runs in the western suburbs of Melbourne (from Footscray in the inner west to Werribee in the south west, and north-west to Taylor's Hill) the YMCA Derrimut facility was opened by YMCA Victorian Board Member, Olympian and two time Commonwealth Games athlete Dean Barton-Smith.

Located in one of the western Melbourne's fastest growing suburbs (Derrimu has an annual population growth of 5.5%), the opening of the facility brings a gym, group fitness classes and swimming lessons to Derrimut and district residents.

The community facility is the result of a new partnership for the YMCA with Pelligra Holdings, a local developer who is also committed to bringing this new community asset to Derrimut.

Referring to both the YMCA's long-term lease (30 years) and its commitment to improving health and wellness outcomes in local communities, Barton-Smith stated "we're here for good", adding "we're incredibly excited to open this new centre and hope it will serve as a community hub for healthier and more active lifestyles to serve the region's families, schools and individuals looking for structure and support to get more active."

In recent years YMCA Victoria has transformed itself into a thoroughly modern charity that literally "builds strong people, families and communities" largely through recreational opportunities, but also through its values-driven programs and services.

Last financial year the charity had 14 million participations in its programs and services including health clubs, pools, stadiums, camps, youth services, child care, and student accommodation. It raised $2 million to provide access to 7,700 individuals who could otherwise not afford to pay - recognising price as an ongoing barrier to participation for those most vulnerable in our community.

Five years ago the YMCA deliberately set out to build a strong presence in the western suburbs of Melbourne, seeing a growing imbalance of facilities that served community needs compared with the rest of Melbourne.

YMCA outcomes in the western suburbs of Melbourne in the past 12 months (1st November 2010 to 31st October 2011):

• Total Attendances at the YMCA - 441,995
• YMCA Open Doors funds raised - $34,710
• Volunteer hours - 1,700
• Early Learning total places booked - 37,123

The Y's Commitment in the West:

1961 RecWest Footscray (formally Footscray Y) a community recreation centre owned by the City of Maribyrnong and managed by the Y. Today plus an OSHC program at the centre and three local schools: Sacred Heart Primary School, Footscray City Primary School and Our Lady's Primary School.
1997 Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre - the Y has been managing this large recreation centre with six stadiums and a health club for 15 years.
1991 Macey Heights disability services managed by the YMCA on behalf of the Department of Human Services
1991 Western Leisure Care, disability services managed by the YMCA as above
2009 Rec West Braybrook - another City of Maribyrnong Community Recreation Facility providing sports and recreation programs, and school holiday programs.
2010 Point Cook Early Learning YMCA - providing children's programs including child care and outside school hours care and school holiday programs for the communities of Point Cook, Sanctuary Lakes, Seabrook, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee South, Hobsons Bay.
2010 YMCA Truganina South is located on the grounds of Truganina South Primary School in North Hoppers Crossing and provides children's programs, including long day care for pre-school aged children. For families in Truganina, Laverton North, Williams Landing, Tarneit, Wyndham, Hobsons Bay.
2010 YMCA Taylor's Hill is on the campus of Taylors Hill Primary School an ...

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