The New PCYC Complex is Open!

What was a vision more than a decade ago became a reality last week with the grand opening of the $23 million PCYC Wagga multi-purpose complex.

PCYC Wagga president and Committee 4 Wagga secretary David Bardos was the master of ceremonies at the event attended by hundreds of invited guests and local school children.

PCYC Wagga president David Bardos at the opening of the new PCYC in Wagga Wagga.

“In the year 2000 there was a thought, in 2010 there was a vision, in 2014 there was a plan, in 2019 there was the funding and in 2021 there was a build,” David told the crowd.

“Today we are very proud to welcome you to the new PCYC Wagga facility.”

The state-of-the art Fitzhardinge Street facility – the largest of its kind in NSW – includes a stadium, after-school care, conference area, office centre, gym, multi-purpose hall, a public café, and studio spaces for boxing, dancing, martial arts and yoga.

It’s a far cry from the outdated Gurwood Street building which had been utilised by the PCYC since 1963.

Celebrating the opening of PCYC are Committee 4 Wagga board members Richard Allsopp, Adam Drummond, Sam Beresford, Rebecca Hardy, with CEO Scott Sanbrook and Committee 4 Wagga secretry and PCYC Wagga President David Bardos.

Among the dignitaries to address the gathering were Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout, Member of the NSW Legislative Council Wes Fang and PCYC CEO Dominic Teakle and chair Nicole Sorbara.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack speaking to the achievement of the PCYC Wagga complex.

Teenager Elvein Ibrahim told a heartfelt story of how she became involved with PCYC.

Elvein was a Yazidi refugee who arrived in Australia in 2016 and could speak very little English.

On moving to Wagga Wagga she was encouraged to try out PCYC by a friend and she then joined the Fit For Life Program in 2019.

“It was a great opportunity for me to participate and get to know all the amazing staff members,” Elvein said.

All three tiers of government played huge roles in funding the facility.

Federal Government pledged $10 million through the Community Development Grants program, while the State Government committed the same amount and Wagga Wagga City Council contributed $3 million.