THE iconic Cumberland Resort swimming pool and day spa in Marysville will reopen in June after an agreement between the YMCA, resort owners and community stakeholders was signed last Friday.

The building will be known as the Marysville YMCA and is scheduled to open on Sunday, 6 June with a big Community Open Day.

The pool and spa were the only facilities on the Cumberland Resort site in Marysville to survive the devastation of the Black Saturday firestorm in February 2009. After the successful reopening of the local outdoor pool over summer, a partnership proposal was developed with a number of stakeholders to reopen the indoor heated pool to be used in the winter months.

Cumberland Resort owners Simon and Ann Cuzens held discussions with regional management of YMCA Victoria together with Murrindindi Shire Council community development officer Mike Wasley, DHS community services Hub Captain Ray Siegersma and representatives of Rotary, to develop and initiate funding for the project.

A community partnership resulted with the aim of providing an indoor aquatic facility with aquatic education, recreation programs and services to the people of Marysville, Narbethong and Buxton.

Facilities available will initially include the heated indoor swimming pool, change rooms and if there is sufficient community interest potentially the steam room and private massage rooms. The YMCA will offer aquatic programs including recreational swimming, aqua aerobics, aquatic education, school programs, aquatic adventure, and plans to also develop a Marysville swim club/squad training.

The project compliments a number of other bushfire recovery programs involving the YMCA.

YMCA Regional Executive Officer, Anthony Neal said "The move was a win for the local community."

"This is a triumph for the people of Marysville, Narbethong and Buxton and the surrounding area as they rebuild their community and lives after Black Saturday," he said.

"The YMCA is proud to be involved and all stakeholders who worked so hard to make this happen are to be congratulated."

Mr Neal added "there will be an emphasis on employing local staff with the relevant skills and encouraged interested people to contact YMCA Project Manager, Chris Simmons on 0402 711 198 or visit the Careers section for more details.

"We want to involve the local community in this project as much as we can,"he said. "In addition to the obvious physical and mental health benefits, recreation also plays an important role in building strong communities and that's very important as the region rebuilds."

The reopening of the Cumberland Resort facilities has become a reality due to the generous funding and support from multiple stakeholders including; Cumberland Resort owners Simon and Ann Cuzens, several Rotary Clubs, The Salvation Army, Department of Human Services, Murrindindi Council and the YMCA.

Pictured: Marysville YMCA stakeholders outside the Cumberland Resort Day Spa (left to right) YMCA representative Daryl Clemson, owners Ann and Simon Cuzens, Ray Siegersma-DHS Marysville Community Services Hub Captain, Ray Siegersma, PSM Rotary chairman-RI D9800 bushfire recovery committee member Mellville Connell, and YMCA Victoria project manager Chris Simmons.