End of an era as new operators take over Northern Beaches Leisure Centre
Parents and children are saying goodbye to the beloved long-term managers of the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre as council hands over the facility to a new operator from the state’s south-east.
Townsville
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Parents and children are saying goodbye to the beloved long-term managers of the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre as Townsville City Council hands over the facility to a new operator from the state’s south-east.
After 16 years running the centre, Jon and Maria Sieben from JMS Aquatics confirmed that their lease ended on January 31, with the site undergoing a tender process since November.
Despite submitting a bid to continue managing the facility, the couple was ultimately unsuccessful.
Hoping to keep lessons running smoothly, they requested an extension of their caretaker role until April 6, beyond their March 1 deadline, but were denied by council.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Siebens sent a letter to families last Wednesday, informing them of their final Learn to Swim lessons and updates for other swim squads.
“We are very proud of our Top 10 Learn to Swim Program, as this year, we produced our first swimmer who started in our Baby Swim program and has progressed, uninterrupted by participation in any other program, to the National Age Championships,” they wrote.
“We produce ‘thinking swimmers’ who are safer in and around water no matter how you want to enjoy it, whether as a family or a competitive swimmer at the national level.
“We are so proud of our teachers and lifeguards who we have had the privilege to work with over our 16 years at NBLC.”
The pair were officially informed on Friday morning that their tender bid was unsuccessful, just one day after the Townsville Bulletin pressed council for answers.
A Townsville City Council spokesman confirmed that City Venue Management had been appointed as the new operator.
The company manages more than 32 venues across south-east Queensland, primarily in Brisbane.
“Given the current lease was coming to an end for the operations of the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre, council conducted a public tender process in the final months of 2024,” a council spokesman said.
“In a competitive process, council has awarded the operations of the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre to Queensland-owned City Venue Management, who will take over the operations of the facility from March 1, 2025.
“City Venue Management are working closely with the current lessee to transition pool operations in the coming weeks as smoothly as possible.
“The current operator is contracted to continue services up until the end of their lease, and Council does not expect a disruption in the services provided.”
Councillor Brodie Phillips thanked the outgoing managers for their service to the Northern Beaches community.
“We thank the current providers for their years of service operating such a wonderful community asset and wish them the best for their future endeavours,” Cr Phillips said.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the new operator of the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre to the community and seeing this facility continue to offer the amazing services and experiences for locals and visitors alike for years to come.”
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Originally published as End of an era as new operators take over Northern Beaches Leisure Centre
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