Management EOI opened for new Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre

Bundaberg Regional Council has announced that it is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the management of what it believes will be the “best regional aquatic centre outside of South East and North Queensland” - the new Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre.

The Council is seeking EOIs from service providers that possess the necessary facilities management skills to be shortlisted to tender for the facility operations and management of the new Centre.

Set to open at the beginning of 2025, the new facility will feature three pools - a 50 metre FINA standard Olympic pool, an indoor lap pool also suitable for learn-to-swim and aqua aerobics programs and a warm water program pool to accommodate activities including learn-to-swim, aqua aerobics and water-based physiotherapy.

The state-of-the-art facility includes an on-site café, shop and central courtyard while several multipurpose and hire rooms are included.

Accessibility has also been a key focus in the design of the facility, with it set to feature three accessible pools, including lifts, ramps and ladders. In addition, the 25 metre and warm program pool will also have a hoist.

The centre will also have one accessible adult change space with a ceiling hoist. There will also be a second ceiling hoist in one of the accessible toilets.

EOI process
The Council advise that the “successful operator of the facility will be able to make them available for a range of out of pool activities, which are yet to be determined, such as class-based training associated with the pool, for example CPR and lifeguard qualifications.”

Expressions of interest must be received at VendorPanel up to 2pm AEST Tuesday 5th December 2023.

Concerns over site stability
Bundaberg Regional Council has also recently released a statement addressing what is says are “mistruths circulating within the media and on social media regarding the build of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre”.

Council Chief Executive Steve Johnston advised “the site at the Old Showgrounds was selected with the full background knowledge that it had previously been used for waste disposal.

“This was taken into account with the Aquatic Centre's design and construction methods chosen.

“The project remains on time and on budget. In fact, elements of the construction are well ahead of the original schedule.

“Council has been fully transparent in terms of the project and residents are encouraged to utilise the project page on ourbundabergregion.com.au as a single source of truth.”

Mitch Perry, Regional Manager for builder Woollam Constructions, added "the constraints around building on a landfill site were well known and documented throughout the design and tender process. The structure of the project is found on over 800 concrete piles to mitigate the effects of variable landfill.

“The project has been and continues to be delivered methodically, safely and on program. At no point throughout the project have works been performed out of sequence, without necessary remediation works occurring, nor have they stopped due to unsuitable foundations or uncompacted landfill.”

Click here for more information on the EOI process in the Australasian Leisure Management tenders page.

Images: Concepts for the Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre. Credit: Bundaberg Regional Council.