MANAGEMENT of the new $9 million pool at the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre will automatically fall to the YMCA rather than being put out for tender.
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The YMCA was awarded a 10-year contract to manage the centre, worth $5.8 million, in 2012 – about 12 months before the council decided to expand the facility.
City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said the new pool would be “incorporated” into the existing contract with the YMCA.
“The contract will require an amendment to include a 50-metre pool,” he said. “The details of these amendments will be discussed by council and YMCA in due course.”
Mr Schinck said the original contract did not include any provision for the fact that facilities at the aquatic centre may expand during its tenure.
Pool patron and retired commercial lawyer Peter Byrne, who criticised the YMCA contract at the time it was awarded, said he was concerned about the management of the facility.
“The granting of a 10-year lease took away all flexibility,” he said.
“Most pools are leased out on a three-by-three (year contract), so at the end of the three years their contracts can be reviewed. Once you give an organisation a fixed 10-year lease, it’s bloody nearly impossible to get rid of them.”
Ballarat YMCA spokesperson Carlee Grant said the organisation could not comment on the contract renegotiation.
“Council has recently advised us of its intention to revise the existing contract, however we are yet to receive that information,” she said.
andrew.ramadge@fairfaxmedia.com.au