Whyalla Recreation Centre commended by PLA

YMCA South Australia (YMCA SA) at Whyalla Recreation Centre has been highly commended for its contribution to excellence in community recreation by the South Australia Parks and Leisure Association (PLA).

Whyalla centre manager, Kimberley Nitschke, was presented with the Region/Rural Contribution award at the annual PLA presentation event in Adelaide on Wednesday, 16 June.

YMCA SA manages the rural leisure and recreation facility in partnership with the Whyalla City Council, with the management contract recently being extended for a further two years.

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.

Ms Nitschke said the award was acknowledgement of the extraordinary dedication and effort of the locally based staff team who overcame huge challenges to maintain community engagement during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“Whyalla Recreation Centre is a real community hub and the restrictions that were applied in 2020 really brought home the positive impact that the centre has on so many across the region,” she said.

“We successfully navigated through the COVID-19 emergency and continued to make a significant contribution to the local and regional community. Staff went well beyond their roles and all expectations, and this award is recognition of that effort. I’m very proud to accept it on behalf of our team.”

Whyalla Recreation Centre’s initiatives include:

• Incorporation of a new ‘Spin Room’ in response to member feedback

• Launch of a ‘Walking Football’ program in the stadium

• Development and implementation of healthier food options for birthday parties

• Work with local schools and kindergartens to promote the Learn to Swim program

• Partnering with the YMCA Community Strengthening team to grow the Leap Takers program at the Centre

• Hosting quarterly ‘Family Fun Days’ (except during the COVID-19 period) to raise funds for community causes and support the local and regional community

• Expanded 24/7 Health Club access to gym, boxing room and squash court, contributing to the reduction of lifestyle related diseases by allowing members to be active night or day

• Work with DECD to deliver swimming education to primary school and special needs students across the regional area

The Whyalla Council’s showcase recreation facility services a rural and regional population of almost 22,000 and has a major positive impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community.