SPIRALLING operating costs to run the new Bathurst Aquatic Centre have led the company who won the bid to operate the multi-million facility deciding to jump ship.
The Sydney-based Aquatic Leisure Management (ALM) blamed increased energy bills for its decision to ask Bathurst Regional Council to wind up its contract just 20 months into a five-year deal.
Council is now set to go out to tender to find a new operator for the $12.5m pool complex, with the new contract expected to take effect from May 1, 2009.
In the meantime, it will be business as usual for the local aquatic centre with entry fees and charges remaining unchanged.
Council’s general manager David Sherley said yesterday it was an amicable split.
However, he said it does mean council may have to pay more for a new contractor to run the pool.
“It all depends what’s put on the table during the tender process,” he said. “Judging by the interest shown during the original tendering we believe a company will be found who is willing to take on the Bathurst Aquatic Centre.
“Council also believes ALM may be a potential tender as well.”
Mr Sherley said it is up to each individual tenderer to to work out what they estimate what it will cost them to run the aquatic centre.
“But the fees and charges for items like memberships and pool entry will continue to be set by council to ensure it remains a facility that is accessible to all the community,” he said.
“At the time of the original tendering the facility had never been operated before, but we believe the energy usage was consistent with the the level expected for a facility of this size.
“Council will look at all options, including running the centre in-house. However, previous investigations have indicated it is much more cost effective to go with an external operator.”
ALM general manager Mike Conna said his company was forced into requesting an adjustment to the contract terms as changes in economic conditions had occurred since the signing of the initial contract.
“We have three decades of experience in operating aquatic and leisure facilities, however, we have had no control over recent economic changes including the large increases in energy costs and the effect that these have had on the day to day operation of the facility,” he said.
“We appreciate the support of council on this issue. It will mean the facility can remain operational and staff will retain their positions until a new contract can be facilitated in early 2009.”
Hinting that ALM would possibly be retendering to run the complex with an increased bid, Mr Conna said his company would like to continue its “long term investment in their great team of staff and in serving the Bathurst community well into the future”.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff