YMCA’s Kalgoorlie gym to re-open after relocation

YMCA Goldfields’ transition from a recreation centre to a community hub is almost complete, with the facility’s relocated gym receiving glowing feedback from members.

The YMCA moved its gym from upstairs to the relatively unused squash courts downstairs, allowing the centre to introduce remote 24-hour access for gym members in coming weeks.

As reported by the Kalgoorlie Miner, a soft opening was introduced about three weeks ago for existing members, with Centre Manager Danny Ireland stating feedback had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

Ireland advised “those we have heard from are happy with the layout and the fact we have kept the integrity of the original squash courts by keeping the walls up and providing three different activity sections.

“Everyone has really commented on the privacy that layout provides, particularly our women who commented they feel safe and less intimidated.

“The men are able to lift their weights in a separate section to where they do their cardio.”

Explaining that the change to a community hub allowed the centre to “dramatically” drop its gym membership fees to what he says is now the cheapest in the city in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.

City, Ireland added “we have no lock-in contracts, no joining fees, no suspension fees, and you can pay to attend casually as well.”

The Centre has also now reached full capacity with room hire and rented office space, with Ireland concluding “we recognised we have such a huge space here at the Y and looked at how we could utilise that space for the benefit of the community.

“We have been able to offer that space out at an affordable price for like-minded community organisations focused on up-skilling the community and supporting our youth.”