YMCA poised to seize centre

Karen Hart
YMCA is poised to take over Deakin University’s multi-purpose gymnasium under plans to privatise its management.
The university will not confirm whether it is in negotiations with the YMCA on the KD Stewart Centre but Deakin’s student association claims the organisation is set to take over.
A university spokesperson said Deakin was “exploring options” for the administration of the centre.
“It’s our practice to regularly review activities and explore opportunities for improvement,” the spokesperson said.
Geelong YMCA chief executive Paul Williamson would not comment on the plan.
Deakin University Student Association president Paul Bond said privatisation of centre management would be “unbeneficial” to students.
“We have been told the university is in discussions with the YMCA, which doesn’t surprise us because the gym at Deakin’s Burwood campus is also run by the YMCA,” Mr Bond said.
“We can’t see this move being beneficial to the students at all.
“The centre was supported and developed through student money and should stay in the university, not be handed over to an organisation that doesn’t have the students’ best interests at heart.
“We obviously have some concerns about what services will remain, whether or not the new management will increase prices and whether this will set a precedent for the university to outsource the running of other services, like halls of residence.”
KD Stewart Centre houses a weights and exercise room, basketball and squash courts and a hall for examinations.
Mr Bond said the management shift also threatened the future of an adjacent sports ground, part of the KD Stewart Centre.
“At the moment, other community sporting groups use the field but if it’s privatised that could all change, leaving many sports groups without a playing field.”
Mr Bond said the student association had handed a 600-signature petition against the privatisation plans to Vice-Chancellor Sally Walker.
“We’re having a meeting with the vice-chancellor in two weeks to discuss the centre’s future,” he said.