Each Friday, more than 20 students attend the YMCA-managed Henry Scott Recreation Centre between 10.30 am, and 11.30am as part of the school's physical education and health curriculum.

"The kids love it, it is the highlight of their week, and it gives them an opportunity to play in a controlled environment and a cool environment," said senior teacher Shayne Cox.

"This is the only place we can go in town where it's air-conditioned, and the kids really like to have a game in the air-conditioning.

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Mr Cox said the school used the centre for the physical development of its students, who range in ability from needing high support to being semi-independent.

"Developing hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills, all those sorts of things," Mr Cox said.

"We use it because it's some community engagement for our students. So it gets our students out into the community utilising services that are available to them that they may not often use themselves."

As well as roller skating sessions, the school also uses the centre for skateboarding, soccer, and indoor hockey.

"I guess part of the stuff we promote when we have our kids is working in structured activities and games, or teaching them the skills of cooperation, participation, and taking turns - those sorts of things," Mr Cox said.

And Kintore Street School is not the only regular customer at the centre.

The Katherine Indoor Hockey Association uses the centre for weekly competitions, and the Katherine Police Force uses the centre for biweekly drills and training, while the council hires it regularly for expos.

And recreation manager Bronwyn Humphry wants to see those regular bookings grow.

Ms Humphry grew up in Melbourne and took over management of the Henry Scott Recreation Centre for the YMCA in January after leaving her role as remote sports coordinator for Roper Gulf Regional Council.

A self-confessed sports fanatic, she says she can't imagine working in any other industry.

"I have sports management experience at a council and state government level and have worked and volunteered at a few sport and recreation venues - including the Victoria Point YMCA in Melbourne," she said.

"Growing up in an active family, I have volunteered and worked in and around sport and recreation since my young teenage years, but is it really work when you love it so much?

"The passion exhibited by most in the industry (both paid and volunteers) is incredibly contagious, inspirational, and heart-warming."

Ms Humphry said her first 9 months have 'flown by', and she has big plans for the future.

"I would like to upgrade or replace a lot of what we currently have, in addition to acquiring some exciting new equipment to add even more to our programs," she said.

"It's mostly all under wraps at the moment, although the community has permission to get excited!"

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The Henry Scott Recreation Centre has a health club with different rooms which include weight and cardio machines, a ladies-only workout area, a range of group fitness classes ( including one specifically for parents to attend with their babies); a teen gym program and a kids club and creche.

"There is also a highly-successful weekly skating program suitable for both children and adults in our air-conditioned skate rink, which is decked out with disco lights and kicking music," Ms Humphry said.

"The rink is also used for various community events like expos and markets; and sports competitions including hockey and dodgeball.

"The YMCA also runs a variety of Indigenous youth programs throughout the week in the rink and have extra programs during the school holidays."

Originally a skating rink and bowling alley where the K-Hub now stands, the skating rink was relocated to the YMCA-managed Henry Scott Recreation Centre after the 1998 floods.

"I am currently advocating for renovations to the rink to enable greater usage by all members of the community for any program they can think of," Ms Humphry said.

."Being the only available indoor, airconditioned sporting venue in Katherine, it is an incredible asset, and I would love to see it used more often, by more members of the Katherine community."

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