Auckland Council announces award of contracts for outsourced aquatic and recreation centres

Auckland Council has revealed that Community Leisure Management (CLM) and YMCA North Incorporated (The Y) have been awarded new contracts for the operation of 20 of its aquatic and recreation centres.

The decision to award contracts to two suppliers was made by the Council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee on 15th October, with the Council advising that “previously, three suppliers held the Council’s outsourced contracts” adding that it now working through the award process with CLM and The Y.

Explaining that the new contracts mean Aucklanders will continue to have a number of excellent options where they can swim, get fit and connect with others, Committee Chair and Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, stated “the Council is committed to providing outstanding service for our communities and making sure we are getting the best for Aucklanders.

“CLM and The Y currently operate a number of the council’s pools and leisure centres across Auckland and have track records in providing safe and efficient services to the community.

“We believe these two operators have the expertise, professionalism and customer and community centric values to run the centres to the highest standard while delivering good value for money."

Taking effect from April 2025, the Y will operate seven centres and CLM will operate 13. 

Rachel Kelleher, Auckland Council’s Director Community, says the awarding of the new contracts will enhance the region’s aquatic and recreation facility network, noting “grouping closely-located centres enables more efficiency across staff, resources and leadership for both the council and its service partners.

“This model will also save ratepayers money, compared to maintaining the status quo.

“The centre groupings have been designed to reflect local board areas, common community needs, and the specialist expertise required to operate some services, for example our outdoor pools that open over the summer period.”

With Belgravia Leisure having not been awarded renewed contracts, Kelleher added “as a result of the competitive procurement process Belgravia Leisure will no longer manage any of the council’s pools and leisure centres. We would like to thank and acknowledge Belgravia Leisure for their management of four centres across Auckland over the last 10 years and have appreciated its partnership with the council over this time.”

The inclusion of the living wage as the minimum payment level to staff working at the outsourced centres will be part of all new pools and leisure service delivery contracts. This had not been a requirement within previous contracts.

On 1st August 2024, the service delivery model for the council’s aquatic and recreation facility services was confirmed, with the council’s Governing Body deciding to proceed with enhancements to the current mixed model, which features partially outsourced services for the region-wide network.

Feedback from the nine local boards with outsourced centres was incorporated into the options analysis and final recommendation to the Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee.

Auckland Council owns 43 aquatic and recreation centres across the region. 20 are outsourced, one facility is operated under a lease arrangement (The Olympic Newmarket) and 22 are operated by the council.

Auckland Council’s outsourced model sees the following management arrangement:

YMCA North (The Y)

• Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre

• Lagoon Stadium

• Lagoon Pool and Leisure Centre

• Sir William Jordan Recreation Centre

• Onehunga War Memorial Pool and Leisure Centre

• Ellerslie Recreation Centre

• Massey Leisure Centre

Community Leisure Management (CLM)

• Ōtāhuhu Pool and Leisure Centre

• Massey Park Pool

• Papakura Leisure Centre

• Whiteside Pool

• Jubilee Pool

• Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre

• Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre

• Lynfield Youth and Leisure Centre

• Mount Albert Aquatic Centre

• Mount Albert Community and Leisure Centre

• Parnell Baths

• Point Erin Pool

• Grey Lynn Paddling Pool

CLM Chief Executive Craig Carter was interviewed in Australasian Leisure Management issue 163. 

Images: Parnell Baths (top) and the Onehunga War Memorial Pool and Leisure Centre (below).