Indigo Shire's five swimming pools will be managed by aquatics industry specialists, Belgravia Leisure, from this season.
Council has awarded a three-year management contract to Belgravia Leisure, which manages 170 facilities throughout Australia and New Zealand and employs more than 5500 staff.
The company currently manages aquatic facilities for Bendigo, Swan Hill, Strathbogie and Mildura councils and was recently awarded the contract to manage Alpine Shire's two seasonal outdoor pools and two river pools, and the Bright Indoor Centre for the next three years.
Mayor, Jenny O'Connor says this is a great outcome for Indigo Shire and the community, which places a high value on local swimming pools.
"We know that our pools at Beechworth, Rutherglen, Chiltern, Tangambalanga and Yackandandah are highly valued by the community, and are hugely important to community members being physically and mentally active and healthy."
"We, like many other rural councils, recognise the importance of swimming pools to the community, and invest significant amounts into the provision of pools. However, we wrestle with the ability to maintain or develop what is now ageing infrastructure, and to ensure that the cost of management and operations of the pools is proportionate to demands from other equally important services," Cr O'Connor said.
"This contract means that our pools will be managed by experienced and qualified aquatics facility specialists. Belgravia Leisure is highly recommended and will set a new standard of management and operation for all our pools, and we believe this is the best outcome for our community."
Indigo Shire's five outdoor pools are due to open for the summer season on 13 November, however this will all be dependent on COVID restrictions.
