McKinlay Shire Council was proud to officially open the Daren Ginns Centre today. The Centre is a 24/7 gym and fitness area, furnished with equipment including treadmills, stationary bikes, free weigh
McKinlay Shire Council was proud to officially open the Daren Ginns Centre today. The Centre is a 24/7 gym and fitness area, furnished with equipment including treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights and assisted weights stations and more.
The $367,000 project has been funded in partnership with South32 Cannington ($175,000), the Queensland Governments Local Government Grants and Subsidy Program ($100,000) and Council ($92,000). The Centre is named in honour of the late Mr Daren Ginns who served the McKinlay Shire community as a Councillor from 1976-1983 and then as Mayor from 1985-2000. The opening today was attended by 35 residents and members of the Ginns family.
Mayor Belinda Murphy said the centre is a great addition to the community’s infrastructure. “We all want a healthier and active community and being able to provide this new centre is exciting. The 24/7 nature will minimise expense for Council and therefore ratepayers whilst providing flexibility for everyone to exercise at times that suit them best around work and family commitments.”
The idea of the centre has been on the “books” for a couple of years. Mayor Murphy said “Unfortunately we do not have the population like centres such as Mount Isa that makes building and operating such a centre commercially viable but that doesn’t mean our community should miss out, which is why Council has stepped in. Accessing funding and building a facility that is practicable and affordable is important for small communities.”
Council are encouraging people use it all the time, whether just by themselves or organising time with a couple of friends to workout together, and believe it will go along way to adding to the liveability of the shire and support people to improve their overall health.
The Centre has televisions and is air-conditioned. To launch the Centre residents can use the facility free of charge until the end of August, following completion of an induction. From then a monthly fee of $20 per month will be set which is very affordable. Contact McKinlay Shire Council to find out more information on how to become a member.
