NSW Deputy Premier the Hon. John Barilaro MP, Member for Barwon the Hon. Kevin Humphries and Federal Member for Parkes the Hon. Mark Coulton joined with YMCA NSW Acting CEO Craig Fisher, YMCA Board member Christina Harlamb, local staff, volunteers, community representatives and others to turn the first sod for the new YMCA Broken Hill Wellness Centre on Friday, 4 May.
The sod-turning ceremony marked the official beginning of construction on the exciting $5 million-plus redevelopment of the Y, which will deliver significant health and wellbeing benefits to the Broken Hill community.
YMCA NSW was awarded $3.9 million from the NSW Government under the Restart NSW Resources for Regions program in January last year to redevelop the site into a wellness centre.
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is partnering with the Broken Hill YMCA to fund the project.
“This will be an incredible redevelopment for the YMCA which is at the centre of so much community activity in the Broken Hill,” Mr Barilaro said. “Regional cities like Broken Hill are vibrant places to live and work and deserve to have facilities that promote healthy, active and fulfilling lifestyles.
“The transformation of the YMCA will pack in all the activities that people living in regional NSW want to do but often don’t have access to like gymnastics, allied health services and even virtual fitness classes!”
Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said the Wellness Centre will offer a wide variety of services including a dedicated Youth Hub, Café and Crèche, several wellness studios, multi-purpose spaces and targeted programs supporting Indigenous people, people with a disability and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
“The Wellness Centre will benefit all of the Broken Hill community and create 17 new jobs in the first year,” Mr Humphries said.
“The new centre will be a high-quality, multi-purpose facility and will be accessible by everyone in the community and I can’t wait to see the broad impact this new facility will have on the city."
YMCA NSW Acting CEO Craig Fisher added: “Today is an exciting day in the life of the Broken Hill YMCA as we, along with the Member for Parkes, the Deputy Premier and Member for Barwon, mark the start of construction on the new Wellness Centre.
“The YMCA has been an integral part of the Broken Hill community for over 100 years, and the transformation of the Y into the Wellness Centre will ensure that we can continue to make a significant positive impact on the local community well into the future.
“We thank the NSW Government for their $3.9 million contribution to this project as part of the Restart NSW Resources for Regions program and for their commitment to supporting regional communities.”
Last week, the contract to build the centre was awarded to Hutchinson Builders, a Toowoomba based group that have delivered several successful projects in the city. Hutchinson Builders have committed to using local subcontractors and creating employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
One third of the current site will be demolished and rebuilt and restoration work to the former German Club on Chloride Street will be undertaken. An internal dividing wall will be erected in the indoor stadium to allow for a fully air-conditioned gymnastics centre whilst the remaining area evolves into an air conditioned studio and open format space. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
For more information, visit www.ymcansw.org.au/centres/broken-hill-ymca/
Media contacts:
Shane Simmons
Area Manager, Broken Hill | YMCA NSW
e: shane.simmons@ymcansw.org.au
About YMCA NSW
YMCA NSW is a community not-for-profit organisation committed to healthy living, empowerment and positive social impact. We believe in the power of inspired young people to effect positive change in the world. We support this by offering a range of programs and services at more than 100 locations across NSW and the ACT. YMCA NSW is recognised as a Safeguarding Children accredited organisation by the Australian Childhood Foundation. To find out more, visit www.ymcansw.org.au
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