The Belgravia Health and Leisure Group has been appointed as the new operator for five ACT Government-owned pools: Canberra Olympic Pool, Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Stromlo Leisure Centre, Lakeside Leisure Centre and Dickson Aquatic Centre, following a public tender process.
The government’s contract with Belgravia Leisure will last for five years, and could be extended for up to 10 years for all pool sites.
There will be minimal disruption to pool and gym services at the pools as Belgravia Leisure takes over, the government promises.
Dickson Pool will open as scheduled for the summer swim season at the end of October.
Belgravia Leisure manages more than 160 swimming pools in Australia and New Zealand. The company has more than 30 years of experience in delivering aquatic and leisure services.
“This appointment is a promising step to providing certainty for both patrons and current staff,” an ACT Government spokesperson said.
“Public pools across our city provide highly valued sporting and recreational amenities to thousands in our community, from our youngest Canberrans to our most senior.
“This procurement process has ensured that we have long-term operational agreements in place that enable community pools to continue operating smoothly.”
“Belgravia Leisure is proud to partner with the ACT Government to manage the five aquatic and leisure centres across the Canberra region,” the company’s CEO, Nick Cox, said.
“These venues are designed to be community spaces that welcome all ages and abilities, including those with special needs, which certainly aligns with our commitment to create and deliver programs that are safe, fun, innovative, accessible, diverse, and consistent in their quality for healthy communities today and in the future.
“We look forward to providing certainty for the communities in which we will operate now that this thorough tender process has concluded, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to make a positive social impact on these communities across Canberra.”
The current operators, YMCA NSW and Dickson Aquatic Centre, independently decided to cease operating the pools and subsequently reaching mutual agreement around these decisions with the ACT Government, a spokesperson said.
“The ACT Government has enjoyed a positive relationship with both operators. While it is unfortunate they no longer wish to operate the facilities, we thank them for their stewardship.
“ACTPG is committed to working in partnership with the new provider to deliver the services under the new contract for the benefit of the Canberra community. We are looking forward to the start of the summer swim season and are very pleased that today’s announcement will give Canberrans the certainty that our public pools will be open for summer.”
The ACT Government thanked the outgoing operators for their service to the community.
“Sincere thanks are extended to the previous operator of Dickson Pool, Dickson Aquatic Centre Pty Ltd, for their stewardship of this much-loved community pool for an astounding 26 years,” a government spokesperson said. “The operators have done a fantastic service to the community.”
The government also thanked YMCA NSW, which has run four public pools for nine years, “providing a vital service for many in our community”.
“Both organisations have contributed to the lives of thousands of Canberrans, and we look forward to continuing to work with them throughout the transition period.”
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