Brendan Simpkins

PLAYFORD Council has officially taken over the operation of the John McVeity Centre (JMC) following an end of the partnership with YMCA.

YMCA announced in November that the partnership would cease at the end of 2020, having been involved with the wider Playford community for over a decade.

Council took over operations on January 1.

In a Facebook post, YMCA thanked the staff at JMC and its members for their support over the years.

“We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to serve the City of Playford community and proud to have had an impact of the lives and wellbeing of all who have visited us over the years,” the post read.

“The sole purpose of YMCA staff at JMC has been to enrich the lives of those who have chosen to walk through the Centre’s doors. To this end, the YMCA sincerely thanks the amazing staff at JMC for the professional service they have delivered over the years.

“We will miss and thank you all.”

As part of council’s management of the facility, the membership-based gym service at JMC would no longer be offered, however members could transfer over to the Aquadome free of charge.

Council confirmed to The Bunyip in November that a group fitness program and child-minding services will continue to be offered for group fitness participants in the New Year.

Court sports, including basketball, futsal and netball will continue in 2021, while there will be a community fitness space to allow access to cardio, strength and functional fitness equipment.