New Key Venues section puts leisure at the heart of Blacktown City Council services

Following a recent review of services, Blacktown City Council has put sport and leisure at the forefront of its services with the creation of a new ‘Key Venues’ section under the oversight of its fully owned company, Blacktown Venue Management (BVM).

The new structure will see nine major sports and leisure facilities across the city work together as a single entity to deliver the "safest, the most diverse and the most enjoyable sport and leisure experience possible."

BVM has managed the Olympic Legacy site of Blacktown International Sportspark on behalf of council since 2002.

Late last year, BVM assumed control of the Anne Aquilina Reserve and Blacktown Football Park in Rooty Hill and has now added Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, Emerton Leisure Centre, Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Mt Druitt Swim Centre, Riverstone Swim Centre and Joe McAleer Oval to its portfolio.

The goals for Key Venues are clear: to deliver first class activity and program choice; promote Blacktown City as the leader in sport, recreation and leisure; and give every visitor and customer a safe and memorable experience.

The facilities that Key Venues will manage are diverse - which is seen as a strength by the Council as collectively the venues offer services that all members of the community can access that sits within the common theme of health, wellbeing and fun.

Mayor of Blacktown City and Chairman of Blacktown Venue Management, Councillor Stephen Bali sees the facilities as centrepieces of the community.

He explains "Blacktown City Council will continue to lead the way in our delivery of sport, leisure and recreation to our community.

"To Council these venues and facilities are more than just swimming pools and sports fields. They are symbols of council’s commitment to providing opportunities to access health, fitness and sporting opportunities across the (local government area)."

Consistency in program delivery and accessibility to programs across all venues will see Council’s brand become a strong player in the leisure market.

The first activity area to be brought together is the in-house learn-to-swim program, Aqua Learn to Swim, which will run at five aquatic centres venues offering high quality teaching in a systematic and consistent manner.

With over 30 years’ experience in the sport and leisure industry, former Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Manager and BVM Chief Executive Kevin Jones will lead the Key Venues team, backed by a staff team of 400.

Over the coming months opportunities will arise for new people who share a passion for leisure to join the Key Venues family.

Beyond that, Key Venues is planning a series of ongoing projects - the first of which will be a new regional tennis centre at Stanhope Gardens, due to open early next year.

The centre is currently under construction and will include 16 Plexicushion tennis courts a two-court indoor stadium changing rooms, reception, multi-purpose rooms and car-parking.

Key Venues’ flagship sports facility, Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney, will continue delivery of its master plan with construction of new football fields at Blacktown Football Park about to get underway and a High Performance Centre well into planning.

Future projects include synthetic hockey fields in the west of Blacktown and rugby league in the north along with significant upgrades to Blacktown Aquatic Centre.

Mayor Bali concludes "it’s an exciting time for the people of Blacktown who will continue to have a diversity of first class sporting and leisure facilities throughout their community.

"These facilities will not only service the needs of the Blacktown community but the greater western Sydney region." 

Images (from top): Blacktown Key Venues staff with Mayor Stephen Bali, aerial view of Blacktown Olympic Park and the Mt Druitt Swimming Centre.

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