Our top news of the year. Part 2: April to June 2021
As 2021 progressed and COVID-19 persisted among populations, the second quarter of the year saw the industry demonstrate a certain resilience.
While still subject to the strictest of restrictions, fitness operators looked to expand and innovate, with the sector also experiencing unprecedented investor interest.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show was held - demonstrating that major events could be staged.
But as the industry began to open up, new issues emerged such as many sectors experiencing difficulties in recruiting staff and others facing rising insurance costs and difficulties in securing policies.
Reflecting the fluidity of the industry, Australasian Leisure Management’s 25 most read news item of the April to June quarter were (in date order):
30th June 2021 - ZOOS VICTORIA TRIALS GUARDIAN DOGS IN PROTECTING ENDANGERED EASTERN BARRED BANDICOOT
29th June 2021 - POLLSTAR RECOGNISES AUCKLAND’S EDEN PARK AS WORLD’S NUMBER ONE STADIUM
28th June 2021 - LIFT BRANDS INVESTMENT TO FAST-TRACK FITSTOP'S GLOBAL EXPANSION PLANS
16th June 2021 - ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW DEATH INQUEST TOLD OF ‘GLARING ISSUE’ WITH RIDE REPORTING PROCESSES
11th June 2021 - IOC BOARD UNANIMOUSLY BACKS BRISBANE’S 2032 OLYMPICS HOSTING BID
10th June 2021 - SKYLINE ATTRACTIONS BRINGS FERRIS WHEEL TO DARWIN’S STOKES HILL WHARF
9th June 2021 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA AND VIC ACTIVE DEMAND EXERCISE FACILITIES BE ALLOWED TO OPEN IN REGIONAL VICTORIA
9th June 2021 - LOCKDOWN EASING ALLOWS BROTHELS TO REOPEN IN REGIONAL VICTORIA UNDER SAME TERMS AS GYMS, AQUATIC FACILITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
4th June 2021 - RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TOURS VITAL FOR AUSTRALIA’S ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND PROMOTERS
28th May 2021 - DEAN BOXALL NAMED AUSTRALIAN AGE AND YOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR AT ASCTA AWARDS
26th May 2021 - PHUKET SANDBOX CONFIRMED FOR 1ST JULY REOPENING TO VACCINATED INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS
25th May 2021 - PLANS MOVE FORWARD FOR $300 MILLION INDOOR WINTER SPORTS CENTRE IN PENRITH
13th May 2021 - SPEEDO UNVEILS TOKYO OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS SWIMWEAR RANGE
10th May 2021 - NEW FUNDING MODEL NEEDED FOR BEACH LIFE SAVING PATROLS
6th May 2021 - AFL CLUBS REACH ONE MILLION MEMBERS FOR 2021
3rd May 2021 - MOVING TO ADDRESS INDUSTRY INSURANCE CRISIS AALARA RELEASES SURVEY ON DISCRETIONARY MUTUAL FUND
29th April 2021 - EASING OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS WILL ALLOW SPECTATORS AT SPORT AND GYMS TO REOPEN
23rd April 2021 - 2021 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW WELCOMES 800,000 ATTENDEES OVER ITS 12 DAYS
23rd April 2021 - PERTH’S SNAP THREE-DAY LOCKDOWN SEES CLOSURE OF AQUATIC CENTRES, GYMS AND THEATRES WHILE SPORT TO PROCEED WITHOUT FANS
19th April 2021 - STUDY SHOWS AQUATIC CENTRES STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN LIFEGUARDS
19th April 2021 - CLOSED SYDNEY INDOOR MX DOME OWES MORE THAN $7.6 MILLION TO CONTRACTORS AND INVESTORS
14th April 2021 - SURFING CHAMPION MICK FANNING LAUNCHES FS8 FITNESS TRAINING STUDIO NETWORK
12th April 2021 - FAILURE TO SECURE INSURANCE SEE AUSTRALIA’S LAST CIRCUS WITH EXOTIC ANIMALS MOVE TO RETIRE ITS LIONS AND MONKEYS
2nd April 2021 - BLUESFEST CANCELLATION TO COST MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN LOSSES
1st April 2021 - SURF LAKES YEPPOON DEVELOPERS LOOK TO TRANSFORM PROTOTYPE INTO VISITOR ATTRACTION
Image: Difficulties in recruiting industry staff such as lifeguards was a challenge the industry faced in 2021. Credit: City of Moreland.
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