New era ahead in management of Council swimming pools

Published on 04 July 2018

Mildura Rural City Council will enter a new chapter in the management of its public swimming pools later this year after Aligned Leisure successfully tendered for the five-year contract.

Aligned Leisure will manage all eight of Council’s swimming pools, including Mildura Waves Aquatic & Leisure Centre and outdoor pools at Irymple, Red Cliffs, Merbein, Ouyen, Underbool, Murrayville and Colignan.

The contract, which starts from 1 November, follows a comprehensive and competitive tender process.

Mildura Mayor Mark Eckel said Aligned Leisure would be offering employment to local staff, while existing pool committees of management at Colignan, Underbool and Murrayville would continue to play a key advisory role, providing local input into the operation and programming at these sites.

The new contract also promises a number of exciting new initiatives, which the community would ultimately benefit from.

“From an operational perspective, shifting the management of all eight of Council’s public swimming pools to a single operator will offer a number of efficiencies and savings,” Cr Eckel said.

“Swimming pools are much-loved, valued and very important to all communities across our region. We strive to provide the best services we can for our residents for the best value, and believe this new era in the management of our public swimming pools promises just that.

“From a community perspective, the exciting programs and activities planned by Aligned Leisure respond well to local needs and outcomes identified in our Health and Wellbeing Plan.

“We look forward to working with Aligned Leisure to ensure our public swimming pools, which are a vital asset for our community given our hot climate, continue to meet the needs of our residents now and into the future.

“I’d also like to thank and acknowledge our existing contract partner Belgravia Leisure for their many years of service to the local community.”

Cr Eckel said by packaging together the management of Council’s eight public swimming pools, it would also ensure consistency of service across all sites.

Aligned Leisure, a subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club, currently manages a number of swimming pools and aquatic facilities including in Albury, Wodonga, Cardinia and Nillumbik Shires.

Their tender submission included a detailed transition plan with a focus on engaging existing staff.  

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Mildura Rural City Council for the opportunity to work with the Mildura community,” Aligned Leisure CEO Shane Dunne said.

“Aligned Leisure is a health, fitness and leisure business that aligns its programs and services with key community priorities, to support residents’ health and wellbeing goals.

“We are also committed to working with council to make the transition for customers as smooth as possible. We want to work with as many of the existing staff teams to continue employment opportunities across all eight facilities.”

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au