Aligned Leisure will continue to manage Mildura Rural City Council’s major aquatic and leisure facilities for another three years, taking the partnership through to at least June 2026.
The successful partnership formally started on 1 November 2018 and has delivered outstanding results to the community since its inception.
Councillor for Recreation and Events Mark Eckel said that despite the obvious challenges presented throughout the pandemic, the partnership has gone from strength to strength, successfully delivering over 200 locally based programs, initiatives, and events.
Aligned Leisure Chief Executive Officer Shane Dunne said he was proud of the partnership’s success and looks forward to its continued growth.
“For over four years, Aligned Leisure has enjoyed working with Mildura Rural City Council to enhance access to community programs and facilities,” Mr Dunne said.
“Our team in Mildura, led by Caitlin Simmons, has done a brilliant job establishing relationships and continuing to deliver outstanding outcomes for the local community. With this contract extension, we look forward to taking an already flourishing partnership to an even greater level.
“We thank Council and the community for their support, trust, and confidence.”
Cr Eckel said he looked forward to seeing even more positive outcomes in the coming three years.
“Since taking on the contract for our major aquatic facilities in 2018, Aligned Leisure has really immersed itself in our community, not only gaining an understanding of our residents’ needs, but delivering a host of positive outcomes,” he said.
“Aligned Leisure has also illustrated its responsiveness to members’ needs and quick action when required to address any issues raised by members, demonstrating its dedication to our community.
“It’s great to have an opportunity to now build on this strong relationship and I’m excited to see our community continue to benefit.”
Aligned Leisure has started working on a range of initiatives ahead of the extension coming into effect.
This includes the recent opening of a new look café at Mildura Waves, upgrading the equipment in the Mildura Waves Health Club, plus a host of new partnerships with local organisations that will remove barriers to participation for the community’s most at-risk residents.
Other initiatives already implemented by Aligned Leisure include supporting residents to become qualified lifeguards, addressing the decline in physical activity in 15 and 16-year-olds, and support for the local Indigenous community through its partnership with Richmond Football Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) program.
Aligned Leisure has indicated it will continue expanding its programs across the region over the next three years to engage with an even broader number of people each year, making its facilities the most inclusive, safe and welcoming environments for the whole community to enjoy.