YMCA health club will close its doors at the end of the month after struggling to remain financially viable.
Club members expressed anger after receiving the news last week in a letter from club manager Lissa McIldowney, while Hepburn Shire has promised to investigate new options for a heath club.Ballarat YMCA chief executive Malcolm Healey said the Smith Street facility was not financially viable in its current location in the grounds of Daylesford Secondary College and would close on June 30. “We have explored several alternatives for the health club’s continuation, but unfortunately we have not been able to achieve a positive outcome,” Mr Healey said.He said the site’s location and limited day-time access, as well as issues of amenity, had restricted the health club’s ability to attract sustainable membership.Patrons with term memberships or membership passes will have the balance of their payments refunded. Mr Healey said the six casual YMCA staff affected by the closure would be supported to find alternative employment. Club member Kathleen Murray said Daylesford was being “geographically discriminated against” by the closure. “.This is a sudden and hugely disappointing announcement which leaves the local residents without any access to a gymnasium before and after work.”It also makes it incredibly difficult for locals to try and keep fit during the colder months,” Mrs Murray said. She said many members were angry and the decision to close the gym made the promotion of health and wellbeing in the area laughable.Daylesford Secondary College acting principal Tiffany Holt said the decision by the YMCA came as a shock to the school.”The college has been in ongoing lengthy discussions with the shire regarding ways to maximise the use and availability of the health club, and we will continue to nvestigate ways to maintain this great facility for the benefit of both our school community and the wider community,” she said.Hepburn Shire mayor Rod May said the decision was regrettable but unavoidable.”According to the YMCA, the ongoing operation of the club was clearly not financially sustainable and they were left with no other choice.”Council is committed to working with both the YMCA and the Daylesford Secondary College to explore other options so our community can continue to enjoy the benefits such a club and facility provides,” he said.Club members who contacted The Advocate paid tribute to Ms McIldowney for her leadership of the club and expressed sadness they would no longer be able to exercise together at the facility.
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The Advocate