Australian firm defends contract with Kiwa Pools

Picture supplied/Kev Weatherley Photography

An offshore company which controversially won a Gisborne learn-to-swim contract says it’s looking forward to getting to work.

But an Australian-based Kiwi says the business has had a negative impact on her local pool near Brisbane, and worries what could unfold in Tairāwhiti.

In early June, Belgravia Leisure secured the contract for a dedicated learn-to-swim area at Gisborne’s new Kiwa Pools, which is set to open on September 2.

Missing out was longstanding Gisborne club Comet, which has operated in Tairāwhiti since 1958.

The outcome of the council-led tender process has drawn the ire of many in Gisborne who believe Comet — whose founder Beth Meade fought to establish the city’s Olympic Pool — were slighted.

Carole Rushton is a frequent user of two pools run by Belgravia Leisure north of Brisbane.

She said the pool at Bribie Island is plagued with maintenance and management issues, including a high staff turnover.

“Here under Belgravia’s jurisdiction, we have seen entry (and) membership fees increase without tangible improvement to services,” Ms Rushton told Local Democracy Reporting.

“In my three years of visiting the Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre, I have seen no evidence of proper community engagement or community development.”

Ms Rushton said despite most facilities operated by Belgravia being publicly funded, there was a lack of performance data available because of the business being a private entity.

Belgravia Leisure New Zealand general manager Mark Blake responded to concerns, saying Belgravia only had responsibility for minor maintenance because major works were the council’s responsibility.

Bribie Island used the internationally recognised NPS system to gauge customer satisfaction with a current score of 52.8 percent, he said, with anything above 50 percent deemed “excellent”.

“In regards to Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure centre, the current manager has been in their position for over eighteen months with staff turnover well within industry norms.

“Any fees and membership fees are controlled by the Local Government Contract Partner with no fees increased during Covid.

“We pride ourselves on offering affordable entry rates and membership fees and any fee increases since have been in line with other venues in the local government area.”

Mr Blake said his organisation had an eight-year history of successfully serving New Zealand’s aquatic and recreation communities.

During that time, three of its pools had been awarded New Zealand’s Most Outstanding Pool Award by Recreation Aotearoa.

He hoped local Gisborne clubs would be open to building a positive on-going relationship with Belgravia.

“While I understand the disappointment of other tenderers, from our understanding the council ran a fair process and we look forward to working with them.

“Our programme will offer 80 Tairāwhiti children from lower socio-economic groups free swimming lessons every year and we will also offer swimming lessons in te reo Māori so no-one misses out.”

Gisborne’s new Kiwa Pools is a $46 million project, which the council confirmed this week came within budget.

The complex received $40 million external funding from the Government in 2020 as part of nationwide Infrastructure Reference Group funding.

Kiwa Pools includes a World Aquatics-compliant pool measuring 50 metres, which classes it as an Olympic pool.