our story

In 2007 the community of Daylesford and The State government rallied together to create what is now known as The ARC.
This provided a well needed facility for Daylesford Secondary College as well as a Recreation Centre for the wider Daylesford and Hepburn communities and people from surrounding districts.
Local businesses supported this initiative, there is a brick path outside The ARC with all of the sponsors. Come and have a look!!!!!

History of the ARC

In 2002 a committee was formed to build a new indoor stadium attached to the existing facility at Daylesford Secondary College. However the idea goes back at least to 1992 when the Daylesford Springers Basketball Association led by Sam Camilieri, after a couple of major injuries, started a campaign to replace the concrete floor in Court 3 with a sprung timber floor.

On June 12, 2002 a public meeting was held, and a committee was formed to work for an Indoor Aquatic Centre and/or Indoor Sports Centre.

On July 12 2002 The Daylesford Indoor Recreation Centre Committee Members were:
Sam Camilieri, David Hall, Ken Mitchell, Heather McIntyre (Principal of DSC), Colin Adkins, Ian Stewart, James Walsh, Don Sinclair, Cr Max O’Shea (Hepburn Shire), Kel Tori, Bob Kennedy, Tony Mulraney, Christine Kennedy (Hepburn Health), Glen Rowbotham (Hepburn Health), Aryn Gaialight, David Levens, John Caines, Allan Wolf Tasker (Lake House).

Others joined at later dates. The DIRC Subcommittee (Building) was Colin Adkins, Colin Le Tissier, Ken Mitchell, Colin Richardson ( Daylesford Engineering), Ian Stewart (Shire Engineer), Jeff Thornycroft, James Walsh(Valuer & surveyor).

By 2006 the Community Committee had raised $300,000 (Council Bulletin July 2007) and the Hepburn Shire matched that with a further $300,000 The State Government provided $1.72 Mil, $120,000 came from the Federal Government, and the Education Department provided the land.
The site was chosen at the Daylesford Secondary College and building began, building was completed in 2007.

In July 2007 the YMCA was appointed by Hepburn Council to run the ARC for five years with a further option for 2 year x2, and in August, 2007 nominations for an Advisory Committee were called by the Hepburn Shire.

In May 2008, the building was officially opened when Premier John Brumby with Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino and Member for Ballarat East Geoff Howard toured the multi-purpose indoor sports stadium and met students from the school.
Mr Brumby said outside of school hours the recreation centre is open to the wider Daylesford community and people from surrounding districts, so they could also benefit from the centre’s facilities, as well as being the largest covered display space in the area, making it suitable for various events and conferences.
“Daylesford Secondary College already has strong links with the local community The ARC and this $3 million upgrade will further enhance the school’s status as a hub for the local community,” he said. “The upgrade is great news for the staff, students and community.”