The Brighton Recreational Centre is a not-for-profit community-based organisation providing recreational, educational and sporting activities to reflect the needs of all ages and abilities in the local community.
We offer a diverse range of programs, classes and social activities for children and adults in a fun, connected and welcoming environment.
Our Mission
To provide recreational, educational and sporting activities for all ages and abilities in the local community within a fun, connected and welcoming environment.
Our Vision
To be the recreational centre of choice, by offering diverse programs and services that support inclusiveness, growth and positivity, allowing everyone to feel more connected to the local community.
Our Values
Our values are important because they underpin the meanings of everything we do. From friendly staff to providing opportunities to grow and learn, Brighton Recreational Centre offers a place for people to connect in a fun and inclusive environment.
Our History
| Brighton Recreational Centre’s Timeline | |
|---|---|
| 1956 | The Brighton Youth Centre was started by four young Brighton citizens; John Rossiter, James Strachan, John Williams and Bruce Bellamy, using St Andrews Church Hall two nights a week for activities. |
| 1968 | A building appeal was set up in order to raise $200,000 for a Youth Centre building and equipment. Lieutenant Governor Sir Edmond Herring opened the Brighton and District YMCA Youth Centre on the 13th October 1968. |
| 1979 | The YMCA relinquished its involvement in the Brighton Youth Centre in 1978. Driven by the Rotary Club of Brighton, a group of local citizens applied to the Council to operate the Centre as a not for profit Recreational Centre. The Rotarians put together the statutory requirements to achieve incorporation of the company which occurred on the 2nd August 1979. The Centre was renamed Brighton Recreational Centre.
Term programs were introduced, including a number of activities that continue to this day; Yoga, Painting and Drawing, Pottery, Martial Arts, Exercise Classes, Sewing, Gymnastics and Languages. Not long after, the Brighton Recreational Centre’s School Holiday (Vacational Care) program was established and continues to remain a popular program for its members. |
| 1983 | Three squash courts were officially opened on 25th March 1983 by the Mayor of Brighton, Cr L.J. Coysh and are the only squash courts currently available for hire in Bayside. |
| 1985 | The Centre entered into an arrangement with Bayley House, a strong partnership that continues to support people with disabilities. |
| 1986 | The Centre started an After School Care Program with staff collecting children from nearby Brighton Primary School, Firbank Grammar and St James Primary school.
The Centre was also a popular place for young people throughout this decade with a Youth drop in Centre on Friday nights and Blue Light Discos held regularly on Saturday nights. |
| 1989 | Brighton Recreational Centre Gymnastics club became affiliated with the Victorian Gymnastics Association (now Gymnastics Victoria). |
| 1992 | A long term licence agreement with the Brighton City Council secured the tenure of the Centre for the next 21 years. |
| 1993 | The popular and successful Bayside Art Show was relocated from the Centre to the Brighton Town Hall. |
| 1994 | Following council amalgamation of Brighton Council, the Bayside City Council took over as the licensor in of the Centre.
The Occasional Care program was introduced, providing care for babies and preschoolers whilst their parents either participated in a Centre activity or needed a break from child rearing responsibilities. The following year, the Pre-School Holiday program was introduced in response to community demand. |
| 1996 | A new children’s playground for the Occasional Care/Kinder Program was installed following the removal of two in ground trampolines.
The first of three Twilight Fairs were run by the Centre as a fundraising opportunity and a way to introduce new people to the Centre. |
| 2000 | This decade saw the Centre focus on bringing in a number of popular rental groups including Theatre de la DanSe, Sportzbuzz and Learningland, which provided a regular income stream and introduced new patrons to the Centre. |
| 2001 | Funded by Bayside City Council, a new front entrance was erected, improving access and providing greater security for the building. |
| 2004 | The Brighton Recreational Centre and the Bayside City Council negotiated a new three year lease service agreement. |
| 2010 | Refurbishments were made to the childcare playground including new state of the art rubberized soft fall and mod grass surfaces. |
| 2014 | A new nine year lease to run the Centre under a license agreement was negotiated with the Bayside City Council. |
| 2015 | This decade saw one of the largest growths of the Brighton Gymnastics Club, most notably with our Competitive Gymnastics program. The Gymstar program was introduced to the competitive gymnastics program in addition to the Australian Levels Programs. |
| 2018 | A new sprung floor was installed in the gymnasium, ensuring that our gymnastics facility is set up permanently year-round. |
| 2019 | Bayside City Council endorsed plans to re-develop the Brighton Recreational Centre, with a total project budget of $9.87 million. The draft masterplan is expected to be taken to the community for their feedback in late 2020. |
| 2020 | Brighton Recreational Centre temporarily closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs were offered online, including gymnastics, school holiday program, and gymnastics holiday program. The Gymnastics Club also held a virtual competition. |
For a complete history of the Brighton Recreational Centre click here.
Our History
| Brighton Recreational Centre’s Timeline | |
|---|---|
| 1956 | The Brighton Youth Centre was started by four young Brighton citizens; John Rossiter, James Strachan, John Williams and Bruce Bellamy, using St Andrews Church Hall two nights a week for activities. |
| 1968 | A building appeal was set up in order to raise $200,000 for a Youth Centre building and equipment. Lieutenant Governor Sir Edmond Herring opened the Brighton and District YMCA Youth Centre on the 13th October 1968. |
| 1979 | The YMCA relinquished its involvement in the Brighton Youth Centre in 1978. Driven by the Rotary Club of Brighton, a group of local citizens applied to the Council to operate the Centre as a not for profit Recreational Centre. The Rotarians put together the statutory requirements to achieve incorporation of the company which occurred on the 2nd August 1979. The Centre was renamed Brighton Recreational Centre.
Term programs were introduced, including a number of activities that continue to this day; Yoga, Painting and Drawing, Pottery, Martial Arts, Exercise Classes, Sewing, Gymnastics and Languages. Not long after, the Brighton Recreational Centre’s School Holiday (Vacational Care) program was established and continues to remain a popular program for its members. |
| 1983 | Three squash courts were officially opened on 25th March 1983 by the Mayor of Brighton, Cr L.J. Coysh and are the only squash courts currently available for hire in Bayside. |
| 1985 | The Centre entered into an arrangement with Bayley House, a strong partnership that continues to support people with disabilities. |
| 1986 | The Centre started an After School Care Program with staff collecting children from nearby Brighton Primary School, Firbank Grammar and St James Primary school.
The Centre was also a popular place for young people throughout this decade with a Youth drop in Centre on Friday nights and Blue Light Discos held regularly on Saturday nights. |
| 1989 | Brighton Recreational Centre Gymnastics club became affiliated with the Victorian Gymnastics Association (now Gymnastics Victoria). |
| 1992 | A long term licence agreement with the Brighton City Council secured the tenure of the Centre for the next 21 years. |
| 1993 | The popular and successful Bayside Art Show was relocated from the Centre to the Brighton Town Hall. |
| 1994 | Following council amalgamation of Brighton Council, the Bayside City Council took over as the licensor in of the Centre.
The Occasional Care program was introduced, providing care for babies and preschoolers whilst their parents either participated in a Centre activity or needed a break from child rearing responsibilities. The following year, the Pre-School Holiday program was introduced in response to community demand. |
| 1996 | A new children’s playground for the Occasional Care/Kinder Program was installed following the removal of two in ground trampolines.
The first of three Twilight Fairs were run by the Centre as a fundraising opportunity and a way to introduce new people to the Centre. |
| 2000 | This decade saw the Centre focus on bringing in a number of popular rental groups including Theatre de la DanSe, Sportzbuzz and Learningland, which provided a regular income stream and introduced new patrons to the Centre. |
| 2001 | Funded by Bayside City Council, a new front entrance was erected, improving access and providing greater security for the building. |
| 2004 | The Brighton Recreational Centre and the Bayside City Council negotiated a new three year lease service agreement. |
| 2010 | Refurbishments were made to the childcare playground including new state of the art rubberized soft fall and mod grass surfaces. |
| 2014 | A new nine year lease to run the Centre under a license agreement was negotiated with the Bayside City Council. |
| 2015 | This decade saw one of the largest growths of the Brighton Gymnastics Club, most notably with our Competitive Gymnastics program. The Gymstar program was introduced to the competitive gymnastics program in addition to the Australian Levels Programs. |
| 2018 | A new sprung floor was installed in the gymnasium, ensuring that our gymnastics facility is set up permanently year-round. |
| 2019 | Bayside City Council endorsed plans to re-develop the Brighton Recreational Centre, with a total project budget of $9.87 million. The draft masterplan is expected to be taken to the community for their feedback in late 2020. |