Circular Head Council appoints Belgravia Leisure to manage new Smithton wellbeing facility

Circular Head Council in far north-west Tasmania and Belgravia Leisure have announce the signing of a contract for the centre management of the Circular Head Community Wellbeing Centre.

With the Council looking to achieve the best outcomes for the community with a different approach to the management of the soon-to-be-completed Centre that it had adopted for its previous facility, Belgravia Leisure have been selected to operate the facility following a tender process.

Located in the town of Smithton and due to open in early 2019, the new $12 million will include a six-lane 25 metre pool, a three lane 12.5 metre program pool for swimming lessons, a children aquatic play area and a multipurpose program space.

Mayor Daryl Quilliam said that a presentation made to Council provided confidence that the skills and expertise Belgravia Leisure bring will help to achieve the best outcomes from the community, advising “Council looks forward to developing the relationship with Belgravia Leisure (as their) experience in the successful management of Splash Devonport, as well as in launching new leisure centres, we are confident that they will provide high quality facilities, services and programs which enhance livability and create a sense of community pride.”

Belgravia Leisure Chief Executive Nick Cox is looking forward to working with the Council to create and deliver programs and facilities that are innovative, accessible and diverse, and delivering an excellent customer experience.

Cox advised “Belgravia Leisure is very excited to be partnering with the Circular Head Council and we look forward to engaging the community to plan and deliver a range of exciting aquatic and wellbeing programs. In particular our focus will be on increasing access for people of all ages and abilities that will encourage social connection and reduce social isolation.”

“We are committed to developing meaningful partnerships through collaboration with Smithton community groups, sports clubs, local and regional businesses, community service providers and health service providers to encourage whole of community use.”

Mayor Quilliam said Council is excited by the career path opportunities this relationship provides for young people, in particular, to gain training and experience in recreation and leisure management.

There will be an opportunity to complete Pool Lifeguard and AUSTSWIM courses to prepare potential lifeguards and swim instructors for employment.

In conjunction with Council, Belgravia Leisure will undertake a naming competition to come up with a working name for the centre.

Here Cox advised “recruitment for a person to be appointed as the Centre Manager will start soon, in readiness for the opening during the first quarter of 2019.”

The Circular Head Community Wellbeing Centre website and swim program memberships will be launching soon.

Images: Artist's impressions of the soon-to-be-completed Circular Head Community Wellbeing Centre.