Less queuing, a greater range of facilities and programs and more innovative customer service solutions at Boroondara’s five aquatic and leisure facilities are just some of the benefits residents can expect to see in coming years.
In part, this is due to Boroondara’s innovative new approach to management contracts for the centres.
Like many Local Governments, Boroondara contracts out the management and operation of its aquatic and leisure centres. It is now improving efficiencies by having just one management group run all five of the centres under a substantially longer, nine year deal.
Boroondara CEO Catherine Dale is happy with the new deal.
“Council now has a guaranteed return of over $3 million for the first three year period of the new contract,” she said. “We expect that to increase in later years as we gradually redevelop all our leisure and aquatic facilities.”
Over the next two years, Council will invest more than $30 million in leisure and aquatic centres. This includes a $4.7 million upgrade currently underway at the Kew Recreation Centre and a $27 million major redevelopment of the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre, expected to commence next year.
Catherine Dale said Boroondara will work closely with YMCA Victoria to ensure residents and ratepayers continue to receive excellent service from the facilities.
“We’ll be collaborating with the YMCA to plan for and deliver services at the facilities throughout the life of the current contract,” she said.
The 2.7 million people who visit the Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre, Balwyn Leisure Centre, Boroondara Sports Complex, Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Kew Recreation Centre each year can expect a greater variety of programs to become available, thanks to the new, long term agreement. Other expected improvements include a new state of the art website, the installation of electronic entry kiosks and upgraded health and fitness and audio visual equipment.
Catherine Dale said this new approach to leisure facilities’ management is just one aspect of Boroondara’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“We are certain it will deliver better outcomes for residents,” she said.
For further information contact Senior Strategic Communications Adviser Kelli Browne on 0418 356 189.
