Belgravia Leisure looks back on 20 years of operations in Queensland

Having commenced operations of its first Queensland facility in 2004, Belgravia Leisure is looking back on two decades of helping keep locals in the state active and healthy.

With operations headed by Queensland State Manager Dan Cullen, who singlehandedly transitioned into the first Queensland venue, in 2005, the company then won a tender to manage five aquatic venues in Pine Rivers (now Moreton Bay) Shire. Since then, Belgravia Leisure Queensland has grown to become the fastest growing aquatic, recreation and tourism operator in the state.

With over 1,000 staff now working across a portfolio of close to 50 aquatic, recreation and tourist park venues alongside 18 contract partners servicing up to 20,000 learn to swim, fitness, swimming and squad members, Cullen and his local team members have displayed an ongoing commitment to connecting communities to leisure.

Pivotal to the success story has been the team members, some of whom have been along for the ride since the Pine Rivers contract was won 19 years ago. Cheryl McLennan (now Queensland Aquatics Manager), Russell Grenenger (now Queensland Regional Manager) and Mike Fox (now Moreton Bay Area Manager) all began their journey at this point and have worked alongside Cullen to create the business into what it is today.

Looking back, Cullen notes “I’ve enjoyed being a part of numerous highlights over the last 20 years, all of which have shaped where we are as a business.

“Personally, some highlights include Greenfield venue openings in Cairns, Gympie and Mackay, Belgravia and Moreton Bay Council’s $3 million redevelopment of the health club at Albany Creek Leisure Centre, winning the ALFAQ QLD Venue of the year for Gympie ARC in 2018, expanding into the tourist park sector as Belgravia Pro and of course winning the Access and Inclusion Excellence Award in the Moreton Bay Business Awards in 2023.

“I’m also incredibly proud of the whole team, as without their passion, this would not have been possible. Every day, each of every one of them does their best to serve the communities in which we operate, and for that I could not be more grateful.”

Since entering the Queensland market, Belgravia Leisure has been working hard to keep Queenslanders healthy and active, giving back to the very communities that have trusted them to manage their community aquatic and recreation assets.

Notable contributions include:

• Delivered over 1,000 water safety talks to pre-school children

• Provided learn to swim lessons to over half a million children

• Recruited refugees and employed them as customer service officers and lifeguards

• Introduced digital concierge app Cerge to assist patrons with a disability on site

• Ran an appeal for Uganda, reaching out to the community to source baby and mother items

• Ran various flood appeals and has served as the hub for the delivery of flood appeal items and sending them off to flood victims

• Participated in Operation Christmas Shoebox Appeal for five years; collecting Christmas donations for the less fortunate and helping at the warehouse to sort items

• Attended countless open days, fetes, and shopping centres to promote active living for health clubs and swimming lessons

• Hosted a range of community events including State and National Underwater hockey championships, State and National Water Polo Championships

• Arranged for the cast of H2O - along with their mermaid tails - to attend a mermaid party for a terminally ill swim student Jessica

• Hosting national swim teams on training camps including the Australian Dolphins and the Australian Tri Team

• Celebrated Cheryl McLennan, Queensland Aquatic Manager, receiving the Outstanding Supporters Award at SWIMCON 2023 for her dedication and passion for swimming

• Belgravia Swim Team Members winning Gold Medals at Rio Paralympic Games

• Applauded Brendan Dowling, head coach of Albany Creek, selected to be Coach on the Australian Seal Deaf Team to compete in 2023, & returning with 6 medals

• Hosting 2018 Para Pan Pac Swimming Championships at Tobruk Memorial Pool

Belgravia Leisure advise that in Queensland it “remains committed to diversity, access and inclusion, providing recreational opportunities for everyone and laying the foundation for the next 20 years of connecting communities to leisure.”

Images: The Gympie Aquatic and Recreation Centre - opened by Belgravia Leisure (top) and Queensland State Manager Dan Cullen (below).