Minister for Sport and Recreation, Shane Rattenbury, has announced that the YMCA has been appointed as the interim operator at the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic. “This is a great outcome for the community. The YMCA’s appointment ensures a continuity of service for Canberrans using the Canberra Olympic Pool (COP),” Minister Rattenbury said.”The YMCA has managed aquatic and leisure facilities in Canberra and throughout NSW for years. They bring a wealth of experience, and I am pleased that they are stepping in under an interim arrangement.”
Mr. Rattenbury explained that YMCA will commence management operations from 1 July 2015 until 31 March 2016 while longer term options are resolved. This will include a period of extended operating hours in July and August.
“The COP will extend its operations while the Lakeside Leisure Centre (LLC) is refurbished. The LLC will be closed for eight weeks in July and August.” Mr. Rattenbury commented “In that time, the opening hours at the COP will be temporarily extended from 5.30am to 8.30pm from Monday to Friday, and lane space will be increased. Portable lane dividers will be used to turn 50m lanes into 25m lanes.” Rattenbury added.
Leisa Hart, CEO of YMCA NSW, said the YMCA understands the value of a community facility like COP and the programs run there. “The ACT Government’s Active 2020 vision to enrich the Canberra community through sport and active recreation aligns with the YMCA principal of cultivating the happiness that comes from being valued members of a community, and from taking part in physical activity,” Ms Hart said. “There are a variety of user groups who rely on this facility including recreational lap swimmers and swimming clubs, water polo clubs as well as the staff. Continuity of operation is critical to all these stakeholders, so we’ll be working around the clock to ensure a seamless transition come 1 July.”
Mr. Rattenbury has taken the opportunity to assure current staff and their families that the YMCA offer all existing staff, up to the level of Operations Manager, the opportunity to participate in an initial recruitment process. Mr. Ratenbury added that any existing staff at COP and LLC who would like to be involved in recruitment can contact Sport and Recreation Services. That recruitment is expected to get underway next week.
Mr. Rattenbury explained that the COP will be closed for one day on Tuesday 30 June 2015 to enable the current manager to transition out of the facility. In addition, a new procurement process has commenced to appoint a new operator at LLC.