YMCA South Australia at Fleurieu Aquatic Centre has been recognised by the South Australia Parks and Leisure Association as a leader in community recreation excellence, winning the award for Best Region/Rural Contribution.

The award officially recognises the not-for-profit organisation’s commitment to creating a positive social, environment and economic impact from a range of community based programs and initiatives and for making a significant contribution to the local and regional community over the past 12 months.

City of Victor Harbor Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy says that the award was a great outcome for the YMCA and Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority (FRACA).

“The City of Victor Harbor congratulates the YMCA Management and FRACA Board, we are very fortunate to have such a great facility within our region.”

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

A joint initiative of the City of Victor Harbor and the Alexandrina Council, YMCA has managed the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre in partnership with the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority since it opened in March 2017.

YMCA Regional Development Manager (Southern), James Lomax, says 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,” he says. 

“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.”