Over the past few weeks while the centre has been closed it has been a great opportunity to do all that extra cleaning and maintenance that sometimes gets forgotten in the day-to-day operations and the centre is sparkling again as if it was day one.

There has also been the opportunity to fit-out the Reformers Pilates room, the playground in Child Care is well under construction and we now have external lighting, the solar panels are operating and stadium users have individual player lockers installed.

Prior to our temporary shutdown (COVID-19) we had had a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of the local community. We launched Belgravia Leisure’s ‘Higher State’ program and our Reformer Pilates classes continue to grow along with the Group Fitness participants, we have commenced a 3-year-old Kinder program to complement our existing child care service. We are now home to Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils Youth Service’ drop-in’ program and councils’ immunisation and supported playgroup services.

Our resident sporting clubs have grown significantly over the past year and we regularly have a diverse range of sports scheduled in the stadium including; badminton, basketball, volleyball and netball. We have children’s programs running during the day and each term holidays we have a jam-packed program for parents to take advantage of.

We have also hosted the 3 x 3 Hustle Basketball program, a Peninsula Waves netball tournament, VBL games, indoor aeroplane practice sessions and the annual Peninsula Cup boxing tournament.

With over 60, 000 visitors in just the first 10months (prior to the shutdown) it has been an amazing response and while in lockdown we are planning another exciting 12months ahead.

We look forward to seeing you on the other side. I will save you some cake.

Happy First Birthday, Somerville Recreation Centre😊

Written by Centre Manager, Somerville Recreation Centre, Rosemarie Ackland