New contracts awarded for outsourced pools and leisure centres

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council has approved the award of new contracts for the operation of 20 pools and leisure centres across the region, that are outsourced.

The decision to award contracts to two suppliers – Community Leisure Management (CLM) and YMCA North Incorporated (The Y), was made by the council’s Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee on October 15. Previously, three suppliers held the council’s outsourced contracts. The council is now working through the award process with CLM and The Y.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, who is chair of the committee, says the new contracts mean Aucklanders will continue to have a number of excellent options where they can swim, get fit and connect with others.

“The council is committed to providing outstanding service for our communities and making sure we are getting the best for Aucklanders.

“CLM and The Y currently operate a number of the council’s pools and leisure centres across Auckland and have track records in providing safe and efficient services to the community.

“We believe these two operators have the expertise, professionalism and customer and community centric values to run the centres to the highest standard while delivering good value for money.

The new contracts will take effect from April 2025. The Y will operate seven centres and CLM will operate 13.  

Rachel Kelleher, Auckland Council’s Director Community says the awarding of the new contracts will enhance the region’s pools and leisure network.

“Grouping closely-located centres enables more efficiency across staff, resources and leadership for both the council and its service partners.

“This model will also save ratepayers money, compared to maintaining the status quo.

“The centre groupings have been designed to reflect local board areas, common community needs, and the specialist expertise required to operate some services, for example our outdoor pools that open over the summer period.”

“As a result of the competitive procurement process Belgravia Leisure will no longer manage any of the council’s pools and leisure centres. We would like to thank and acknowledge Belgravia Leisure for their management of four centres across Auckland over the last 10 years and have appreciated its partnership with the council over this time.”

The inclusion of the living wage as the minimum payment level to staff working at the outsourced centres will be part of all new pools and leisure service delivery contracts. This had not been a requirement within previous contracts.

On 1 August 2024, the service delivery model for the council’s pools and leisure services was confirmed, with the council’s Governing Body deciding to proceed with enhancements to the current mixed model, which features partially outsourced services for the region-wide network.

Feedback from the nine local boards with outsourced centres was incorporated into the options analysis and final recommendation to the Revenue, Expenditure and Value Committee.

Auckland Council owns 43 pools and leisure centres across the region. This decision sees the continued delivery of pools and leisure services across the region. Twenty centres are outsourced, one facility is operated under a lease arrangement (The Olympic Newmarket) and 22 are operated by the council.

Please visit the Auckland Council website to see the locations of all our pool and leisure centres.

If you have any questions about these changes, please email poolsandleisurefeedback@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

MIL OSI