Aligned Leisure, a fully owned subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club, has won its fourth tender and will expand its health, fitness and leisure business into the north-west Victorian city of Mildura.
Mildura Rural City Council today announced Aligned Leisure will commence management of eight leisure facilities in Mildura from November 1, 2018.
Aligned Leisure currently manages 13 leisure facilities across Cardinia and Nillumbik Shires and the Cities of Albury and Wodonga.
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said it was another off-field win for the Club.
“Mildura is an important region for our football club,” Gale said.
“We have a strong connection to the area through our Next Generation Academy and these new facilities will allow us to further support these programs.
“This announcement marks Aligned Leisure’s fourth successful tender. The diversification of our business and success of Aligned Leisure has been a major focus of our Board for a number of years.
“It is a credit to our Aligned Leisure staff, in particular CEO Shane Dunne, for their hard work in expanding our business, particularly in such an important area for our football club.
“We are committed to working with existing staff across all eight facilities to ensure they are offered ongoing employment opportunities.”
Aligned Leisure will manage the following facilities in the Mildura region: Colignan Swimming Pool, Irymple Swimming Pool, Merbein Swimming Pool, Mildura Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Murrayville Swimming Pool, Ouyen Swimming Pool, Red Cliffs Swimming Pool, Underbool Swimming Pool.
Mildura Rural City Council Mayor Mark Eckel said Aligned Leisure’s tender included a detailed transition plan with a focus on engaging existing staff.
“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.”
