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The Y NSW and Armidale Regional Council

Welcome to the Y NSW and Armidale Regional Council pilot project!

A bit about us;

The Y NSW is an industry-leading recreation provider with a unique service delivery model that incorporates a program mix of both personal and community benefits and with proven capacity to build social capital with the community. 

We are committed to the delivery of quality services and the allocation of experienced resources and linkages to best practice in Australia and overseas through our global YMCA networks.   

At the Y NSW, we believe in the power of inspired young people. As a for-purpose organisation, we focus on community connection to create positive change and social good with a focus on: 

  • Holistic wellbeing, civic engagement, and employment of young people 
  • Physical activity 
  • Community connection 
  • Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults 

We employ more than 1500 people in more than 35 communities throughout NSW and the ACT. Each year, more than 2 million people visit our fitness and aquatic centres while over 20,000 children attend our school camps. We also provide vital Before and After School Care services to more than 7,000 children per week.   

As a not-for-profit organisation we also run important community programs across NSW and the ACT that are funded by our operations as well as grants and fundraising. 


A bit about this project

At its meeting on 27 October 2021, Armidale Regional Council resolved to enter into a partnership opportunity with the Y NSW to look into options, through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for a Pilot Project in relation to the strategic and operational aspects of Council’s pools in Armidale and Guyra.

A briefing note in response to a question on notice was provided to Councillors on 18 August 2021 as it related to the history of the hydrotherapy pool that proposed as a way forward, partnering with a specialist aquatic centre and pool service provider to operate the Guyra and Armidale facilities. The MOU would have a dual purpose to explore the strategic opportunities to grow the centres and increase patronage through the turnstiles and maximise operational capability of the centres and minimise operating costs. 

This will ensure the potential of the existing Aquatic Centres is realised, that existing Council staff and the community will have input into the way to improve the programs and services are delivered and to work together on the concept of a new aquatic and leisure centre for the Armidale region that may be funded by a combination of Council and Government funding. 

The major emphasis surrounding the development of the Armidale Aquatic Centre will be to seek to integrate a hydrotherapy pool into the facility as part of the broader wellness precinct at the Monkton Centre.

The Y NSW will undertake research and exploration into the following key elements: 

  • Establishing the needs, social benefits and impacts to the community of high-quality leisure, recreational and wellness services 
  • High level investigation of site suitability to ensure that the best use of the site is achieved
  • Consultation with key internal and external stakeholders within the Armidale region
  • Review and assessment of the existing facilities in order to determine how the current user groups were currently operating and providing their respective services and programs

Proposed facility concepts that reflect the needs of the communities, are reflective of a modern, efficient and accessible facility will be a key outcome of this project.


Timeframe

Commencing 1 February 2022 to be completed by 30 June 2022


Project Leaders

Shane Simmons | Head of Growth and Business Development, The Y NSW

Alex Manners | Chief Officer Assets and Services, Armidale Regional Council 


Who we want to hear from

Whether you’re a swimmer at the facilities, a school or community group, we’d love to hear from you! We are canvassing as many thoughts as possible to assist us in achieving the outcomes of this project. 

Complete community survey (3 minutes)


How to have you say

Register your interest to be notified of any upcoming community forums. 

Community Forum - Register Interest


More information

Please contact The Y’s Shane Simmons at shane.simmons@ymcansw.org.au 

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