Bega Valley Shire Council will continue to operate Eden Memorial Pool in 2017-18 after two tenders it received were not accepted by council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council has also reviewed the cost of going for a dip in the shire’s five outdoor pools this summer – bringing down the cost of entry in some cases and introducing new categories in a bid to increase patronage.
The cost of a season pass will drop from $148 to $125 for adults this summer; and from $296 to $250 for families. Casual entry prices of $4.50 for adults and $4 for children/concessions will remain unchanged.
Council’s aquatic and leisure facilities coordinator Nicholas Hoynes said six tenders were submitted for the operation of the shire’s five outdoor swimming pools by the cut-off date on May 18. One tender was subsequently ruled out because it was non-conforming.
Harris Aquatics Pty Ltd won the tender to operate Bega Memorial Swimming Pool while Swansali Pty Ltd was the successful tenderer for the Cobargo Swimming Pool.
Neither bid to operate Eden’s pool was accepted.
Council will continue to manage Bemboka Swimming Pool and will take over the running of the Candelo pool from a private operator.
The tenders were considered in a confidential business session of council on June 28.
Mr Hoynes said that as part of the council’s review of its aquatic facilities, a new fee structure was implemented.
“As part of this review, we aimed to create a fairer and more consistent fee structure across the whole shire, he said. “In particular, it was identified that season pass prices at the outdoor pools were more expensive than the equivalent memberships at Sapphire Aquatic Centre.”
The key changes are as follows:
- Reduction in season pass prices at the outdoor seasonal swimming pools.
- Introduction of a concession pass at the outdoor seasonal swimming pools.
- Introduction of a new adult and child casual entry fee.
- The shire-wide season ticket booklet has been changed from 20 tickets to a 10 ticket booklet, with the price reduced accordingly.
- Introduction of a family entry 10 ticket booklet
Council will announce pool opening dates early next month.
The Sapphire Aquatic Centre in Pambula was excluded from the tender process.