YMCA and Scotch College launch key partnership

YMCA South Australia (the Y) has entered into a partnership with Scotch College to manage the school’s new $27 million Purruna Spencer Newton Centre, which is scheduled to open in mid-2022.

Located on campus in Torrens Park, the centre will feature an aquatics space with 25m lap pool including a separate program pool, Pilates studio, stadium courts and a variety of multi-purpose wellbeing and consultation spaces. In addition to hosting student and staff programming, the state-of-art facilities will offer the community a learn-to-swim program along with casual admission and membership options for fitness classes such as Reformer Pilates, yoga and aqua fitness.

YMCA South Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, David Paterson, said that the new partnership adds an exciting new chapter to the Y’s history of innovation in the health and development of young people.

“This partnership is about a bigger concept of developing young people, one that inclusively builds the whole-person and seamlessly connects education with the physical, mental and social wellbeing of students. It will draw upon both the deep heritage and values of Scotch and the YMCA - and new technology, social impact modelling and program innovations. That is a powerful combination and we are very excited about the possibilities in the years ahead,” he said.

“Not only is the Y the leading provider of aquatics and recreation management in South Australia, but the YMCA actually conceived many of the key activities, from basketball through to group swimming lessons and lifeguards. We’ve been doing this globally as a non-profit for more than 177 years because of our belief in the value and potential of young people. It doesn’t get any more authentic than that.”

The Y will tailor programs and services to the needs of the school and the local community with the aim of growing participation within and beyond the Scotch College community.

Mr Paterson said that a key aim of the partnership is to provide seamless access to the new centre, together with the best possible customer experience.

“This initiative has enormous potential,” he said. “It will feature a combination of school and public usage, with the facilities and customer experience set to be best-in-class across both physical and digital interactions.”

Scotch College Principal, Dr John Newton, added that the new partnership was based on the Y’s strong community focus and commitment to providing high quality programs and services tailored to the needs of the school and the local community.

The Purruna Spencer Newton Centre is the result of a project focused on improving the wellbeing of the extended college community, with the College Council and Leadership Team deciding that any building project aimed to address this need was to be more than just a pool and a gym.

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