Last month the Mornington Peninsula Shire announced Yawa Aquatic Centre as the name for the new $47.5 million community facility located in Rosebud.
“Yawa” which means “swim”, or “to swim”, is the local indigenous word endorsed by the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung Traditional Owners, which draws on a local language that reflects over 40,000 years of history.
In their official announcement, Mornington Peninsula Shire said, “It is a simple and unique name which represents the purpose of the venue and will create a connection with the Peninsula community through place and the environment with an approachable, welcoming and positive feel”.
The name Yawa was selected from a shortlist of five names and gained the most preferential votes from over 5000 surveys submitted by the community.
Belgravia Leisure was awarded the management contract for the Yawa in late November 2019, are working in collaboration with the Mornington Peninsula Shire to prepare the Centre opening and to drive excitement among the community amidst the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis.
With an expected 400,000 visits per year, Yawa will offer the local community and surrounding areas with an indoor 50-metre swimming pool, Learn to Swim pool, indoor water play area, warm water pool, steam room, spa and sauna.
Yawa will also offer a 720 square metre health club, spin room, group fitness studio, Pilates/yoga studio and designated reformer Pilates studio. Facilities at Yawa will also offer the community a destination Café and Allied Health suites.
Belgravia Leisure’s CEO Nick Cox says, “We are pleased to see the continuation of such vital community facilities and services during these times and look forward to the incredible community health outcomes that will be created from the opening of Yawa”.
“Our dedicated teams are currently working closely with the Shire and in consultation with the community, to ensure the services and programming meets the needs of all community members.”
Newly appointed Manager of Yawa Dan Andrews said, “We’re incredibly excited to be working behind the scenes, with key stakeholder and the community to get Yawa ready for the opening.”
Dan Andrews has years of experience in the aquatic industry, within both private fitness clubs and council-run aquatic and Leisure Centres.
Dan said “Our services and programs survey that we conducted recently, has given us fantastic insight into the community’s programming preferences in-Centre. The survey which received over 700 responses will help us plan our programming around the needs of the community.”
Belgravia Leisure also manages five other Mornington Peninsula Leisure Centre’s on behalf of Mornington Peninsula Shire, Pelican Park Recreation Centre, the newly developed Somerville Recreation Centre, Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, Hastings Hub and Crib Point Outdoor Pool.
Belgravia Leisure, Area Manager Ben Walker said, “Yawa is such a significant facility. It will enable us to provide community-wide health and wellbeing solutions, that will allow anyone across the Mornington Peninsula to get active. We are also very excited to have Dan Andrews on board as our new Centre Manager.”
“As we look ahead, it’s pleasing to know that we have an excellent team who are dedicated to working with the Shire and the community to ensure our staff and communities are safe, healthy and are actively engaged in our facility programs and services,” Mr Cox concluded.
