Bega Pool recorded a welcome 26.02 per cent boost in patronage this summer, but it didn’t go as swimmingly for others.
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Bega’s attendance figures rose to 29,051, 6000 up on the previous summer season.
Of the Bega Valley Shire’s other public outdoor pools, Eden was next best, with attendance figures rising 14.1 per cent from 7312 visits in 2015-16 to 8343 in the swimming season just ended.
However, Cobargo pool reported the biggest belly flop, with attendances dropping 20.05 per cent to 13,521 over the summer of 2016/17.
Bemboka pool also suffered a 6.63 per cent fall in patronage, with only 2295 attendances at the pool this summer.
Attendance at Candelo pool rose 1.86 per cent, bringing the number of visits to 7817.
The attendance figures were revealed this week as the council placed the operation of its five outdoor pools out to tender.The tender process closes at noon on Wednesday, May 24.
Council’s aquatic and leisure facilities coordinator Nicholas Hoynes said interested parties could tender for one or multiple pools.
Mr Hoynes said interested parties could also tender for one, or all, of three key services.
There were: the overall management and maintenance of the facility which included cleaning; supervision of the pools and kiosks which involved the provision of lifeguards and kiosk attendants to meet industry standards; and programs such as learn to swim, coaching and aqua aerobics.
Council was not bound to accept the lowest priced tender, he said.
The tender documents are available on the council’s website; they can also be viewed at council’s offices in Bega or at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre in Pambula.
The release of the tender documents follows last year’s council-commissioned review of its six public swimming pools by consultants, which found that patronage was low and declining at Eden and Bemboka in particular.
BVSC manager of leisure and recreation John Grady said the tender process was not a reflection on the current operators.
Recommendations will be referred to council for consideration in June. The Sapphire Aquatic Centre in Pambula is excluded from the tender, with council confirming its intention to continue running it.
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