Eurobodalla Council today signed a three-year contract with Aligned Leisure to manage the Bay Pavilions aquatic and arts leisure hub.
Mayor Liz Innes welcomed the announcement, saying Aligned Leisure had demonstrated a clear understanding of how best to connect residents with the Bay Pavilions’ services and programs.
“From the CEO down, they’re a company we can work with, thanks to our shared vision for this amazing new facility,” Cr Innes said.
Aligned Leisure CEO Shane Dunne said the centre would be a place where people would meet and connect, a hub for arts and creativity, aquatics, health and fitness.
“Our immediate aim is to build an art and leisure workforce – from the community, for the community.
“All Bay Pavilions services, from the café to the pool hall, gym and theatre, will be run by people employed by Aligned Leisure. And every effort is being made to make sure the vast majority will be locals,” he said.
Council received four tenders for the fee-for-service contract to manage the Bay Pavilions. Melbourne-based Aligned Leisure was chosen after a comprehensive evaluation – by two separate working groups – based on service delivery, technical merit, financial viability and proposed cost.
Council’s director of planning Lindsay Usher said construction of the facility continued apace, and despite the pandemic presenting delays, was on track to open to the public in the first half of 2022.
“Lockdowns in NSW and ACT have hampered access to trades and materials on top of world-wide shipping delays. Our builders have worked around these hold-ups and earlier wet weather, meaning we’re just six weeks or so behind our original finish date,” Mr Usher said.
“We’ve recently seen the massive glulam beams installed over the aquatic complex and now the theatre is being built. It’s the taller part of the complex and once it’s up you’ll see a stronger impression of the overall structure.
“The next milestone for Bay Pavilions watchers will be the waterslides’ installation, and keep an eye out for the raffle offering lucky locals an early sneak peak of the centre prior to opening.
“Once ADCO completes construction, there’s a hand-over to Aligned Leisure for six weeks of fit-out and staff training before the premises can open to the public.”
For more information about the project visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/mackaypark