The Y NSW to leave MidCoast LGA pools Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 20, 2024 The partnership between The Y NSW and MidCoast Council will end, with no further tendering by the former as of June 2024. MIDCOAST Council area pools will cease to be managed by The Y NSW as of the end of the current financial year. Existing contracts are set to expire on 30 June 2024. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “The Y NSW has decided not to retender the contracts of the recreation centres in the MidCoast Council area, including Great Lakes Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre, Wingham Memorial Swimming Pool and Tea Gardens Swimming Pool,” a spokesperson for The Y NSW told NOTA. “The Y NSW is proud to have supported the community on the Mid North Coast with fitness and aquatic services since 1991. “The ongoing review of contracts for the facilities which the Y operates is a normal part of business operations, the Y NSW is committed to keeping customers, employees, partners and suppliers informed on the progress of the appointment of a new operator(s) by MidCoast Council, which is expected to be announced by the Council in mid-April. “Memberships will remain unchanged while The Y NSW continues to operate the facilities.” At two public drop-in sessions, held in November 2023 and January 2024, it was made clear that MidCoast Council was looking to shift pool management to smaller, more locally-based operators. Council has been canvassing local pool users via an online survey for several months, attempting to learn specifics of pool use, such as time of day, days of the week, and has also expressed a strong interest in working with community groups to manage the pools. “Operational costs (which do not include capital replacement and refurbishment costs) of the Tea Gardens Pool are currently subsidised heavily by Council – $2.55 million last year (2022-2023 swim season); this cost is expected to increase by five percent each year,” according to the Council’s most recent overview information. “We will continue to seek funding for improvements to energy efficiency to reduce the costs of running pools to the community.” Council’s representatives were, at both Tea Gardens drop-ins, quite clear on the fact that MidCoast Council will not be closing the pool. By Thomas O’KEEFE
