Current Developments

Carols by Candlelight  -   60th Celebration 

 Join us for this extra special candlelight event as we celebrate Christmas with our family - You.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A performance by the Impact Dance  and Stage School will start at 8.pm   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Carols by Candlelight event starts at 9pm and includes the Salvation Army Band,  guest performers, a combined choir and a few twists to help celebrate the 60th event.
            

            Christmas Eve, Monday 24th December
            

            8pm onwards, Victoria Square
            

            (Wet weather backup Cathedral Square). Event close 10.15pm.
            

            Carol books and tapers on sale at the event.

*YMCA 2008 Holiday Programmes*

Our Holiday programmes are filling fast!  If you are planning on booking in your children or have put it off, it would be wise to get in now.

If you are new to the YMCA Holiday Programmes and would like a paper copy of our yearly calender then please email us with your name and address : adminyo@ymcachch.org.nz or alternatively call into either of our Christchurch Branches to pick one up!

Press Release - Bishopdale YMCA scoops National Fitness Award

Bishopdale YMCA won two of the eighteen fitness awards at the presigious 2007 Fitness Life Awards in Auckland at the weekend.

The judges were impressed with the YMCA's focus on customer service; variety of programmmes and high overall quality of the facility.

They won the Adfit South Island Fitness Centre of the Year (over 750 members) and the Sun Latte Contribution to the Community South Island Excellence Award for its Energyse Fitness Club for 12-14 year olds.

The Bishopdale YMCA is a purpose built $12 million facility located at Bishopdale Mall, which has been open only 9 months.  It incorporates a stadium, childcare centre,  squash courts, meeting rooms, large modern fitness centre with group fitness, cicruit and spin studios.  Since opening the centre has generated a lot of positive feedback and is proving to be a great asset for the Christchurch community.

For more information on this award, please contact Joe Crichton or Carolyn Lamond on (03) 3598320 or email recreation @ymcachch.org.nz  

Fitness Industry Education Courses

Foundation Module starts 6th October 2007.  This is a pre-requisite for Group Fitness electives and meets the requirements of REPS "Exercise Assistant" Foundation level.

Group Fitness Instructor:  Basic/Pump.  Starts 27th October 2007.  Learn the practical skills to lead a freestyle group fitness aerobics class at a professional level and gain competency required for employment.  Click here for times and dates

School Holiday Programmes

Golf, Dance, Drama, Arts & Crafts, Fun Outings, Swimming, Games.... Sound like fun?
Check out the various programmes we run here at the Christchurch YMCA, from ages 5 - 15.
We're sure you'll find something to suit!  Click on the link and check out the summer programmes.   http://www.ymcachch.org.nz/pdf/YMCA_Brochure_2008_-_Summer.pdf

Volunteering Opportunities

We are always on the lookout for new leaders for our youth programmes - If you are 16 years or older, check out the wide range of leadership and voluntary opportunities we offer.  We need adults for volunteering also.  Click here for more Employment Opportunities 

Annual Report

The 2006 Annual Report can be read on our web.  The 2007 is in the process of being finalised and will be up on the website soon.

Chief Executive

Following Terry Hill's retirement after 21 years in the position Peter Tindall was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer and took over in December 2006.

Bishopdale Recreation / Youth Centre

All of the facility is now open and enjoying very strong support. We are located behind the Bishopdale Shopping Mall and can be reached from the mall car park off Farrington Ave / Raleigh St or from Harewood Rd.  Funding of a $9m project has been a huge challenge and we grateful to all who have supported this development, particularly The Canterbury Community Trust, The Christchurch City Council and our bankers Westpac . Recent additional support from The Canterbury Community Trust gave us the confidence to proceed with the final stage. Our bankers, Westpac, have given loan support.  Our Donations section can be used for online donations which will be fully acknowledged.

National Life Membership

At last year's N.Z. YMCA AGM a life membership was given to Terry Hill recognising his 21 years as CEO and the achievements of the Christchurch YMCA team over these years. He joins Claire Ballantyne, a trustee and former National President, as Christchurch holders of this honour. 

Wainui Park 

At the Outdoor Industry Forum Dinner 2005 it was announced that YMCA Wainui Park won the award for "Best Outdoor Facility in NZ " and that Rebecca Wylie had won the "Emerging Instructor Award".

We were very pleased to receive this recognition from our peers throughout NZ. 

Climbing Wall

Use of the climbing wall continues to increase.  If you have not visited the wall recently, come on in and try the changes come on in and try it.

Bartercard

Have you accumulated more points than you are using? You can donate these points to the Christchurch YMCA which we can use to help meet our costs and in particular the Bishopdale project. Our arrangement with Bartercard is just for donations and our use of the points. It does not permiit use of Bartercard to purchase YMCA membership or services.

Customer Satisfaction

We aim for 90% of guests and members rating us as in the Very Good or Good categories. In 2005 we achieved an average of 91% for the city accommodation and 97% for Wainui Park. Growth in participation is also an excellent measure that we are getting things right and during 2005 our health and fitness centre membership grew by 49%.

Accommodation

We have begun a refurbishment programme in our rooms.  To provide an improvement for the facilities for our guests.    

Cafe

The Robert Harris franchise is now operating from the renovated cafe for extensive hours. We are very excited about this partnership which has resulted in an excellent service for our members and others.

Conservation Corps

"We started packing up camp, had a wash in the cold river and a hot drink. Then we were away for our big walk to Lake Kauatapataka.  ....   4 hours later I really didn't think I could walk any more.  My back hurt  -   well my whole body hurt.  I started to feel very dizzy but I really didn't want to let my team down.  ...  An hour later we arrived at the lake and I was happy that I had pushed myself as the view was awesome. .....  The best thing about the tramp was the view, being outdoors and although hard work, very rewarding.  I am glad I didn't quit."


If you would like to participate in this 5 month course sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Development or any of our other Education Programmes visit http://www.ymcachch.org.nz/education or ring Barbara on 377 2174.