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28 August 2020

State award for YMCA at Fleurieu Aquatic Centre

YMCA South Australia (YMCA SA) at Fleurieu Aquatic Centre has been recognised as a leader in community recreation excellence, winning the South Australia Parks and Leisure Association (PLA) award for Best Region/Rural Contribution on Wednesday, 26 August.

The leading not for profit organisation manages the $20 million facility in partnership with the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority, a joint initiative of the Alexandrina Council and the City of Victor Harbor.

The PLA award acknowledged the creation of positive social, environmental and economic impacts from a range of community based programs and initiatives across the local and regional community over the past 12 months.

YMCA Regional Development Manager (Southern), James Lomax, said the award was a fitting reward for the dedication and effort of the locally based staff team.

Fleurieu Aquatic Centre has become a community hub and a great example of how regional aquatic centres can engage with, and positively impact, the local regional community. Gaining traction across communities spanning two Local Government Areas was a challenge at the start, however innovative marketing and communication strategies have seen participation grow to new levels over the last 12 months.

Highlights of Fleurieu Aquatic Centre’s innovation includes:

  • Implementation of Strength for Life aqua classes (YMCA is the largest provider of Strength for Life gym programs in regional South Australia)
  • Free hearing tests for members in partnership with Hearing Australia
  • Partnering with the Continence Foundation to deliver community workshops
  • Partnering with SAPOL to deliver Blue Light pool parties
  • Implementation of Salti-board work outs to engage a new community segment
  • Implementation of a new Mega Splash inflatable to engage youth
  • Successful accreditation with Fitness Australia
  • Partnership with local Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists to provide services to a broad range of community members

The Centre will now receive an automatic nomination for the national PLA award, which will be presented at a function in late October with the final date and venue yet to be announced.