Merredin Regional Community & Leisure Centre
MRCLC Operational Management Model Review Underway
The Shire of Merredin has engaged an independent consulting firm Naja Business Consulting Services, to review and provide options for the operations of the Merredin Regional Community and Leisure Centre (MRCLC).
Why is it so important?
Council recognises the importance of the MRCLC to our community and understands the operations of the Centre and its ongoing success, is a priority for our Sporting Clubs and community.
The Shire of Merredin is committed to undertaking a management review of the facility, to inform how we operate the Centre in the future and is excited to consult the community to ensure the outcome is informed by identified needs. The participation of our community is vital to the review so the Consultants can capture your views on what your priorities and needs are for the Centre.
What is the review?
The purpose of the review is to investigate how the MRCLC can best operate, in a way that is managed with Council’s vision for the facility and aligns with the values and needs of user groups. Council is also looking to identify an approach that is sustainable and that the MRCLC thrives as a regional facility supporting recreation.
The review will cover a wide scope, including considering successful facility management models in other towns, the hours of operation for the centre, community priorities, and economic modelling for the facility.
The scope for the project includes:
- Undertake a detailed review of the current Operating Model of the MRCLC;
- Summary of options for the future Operating Model of the MRCLC; and
- Recommendations for Council to consider
Timeline?
The Consultants the Shire has engaged, started the review in September 2022 and will be presenting a recommendation to Council at the January Ordinary Council Meeting 2023.
The consultation for the community will begin on 20th September 2022, the Consultants will be in Merredin from 20-22nd September 2022.
The consultation will include face to face meetings and online surveys.
Why is a consultant undertaking the work?
It was important to Council that the Consultants are independent, so they can collect community and sporting club feedback, provide recreation industry expertise to analyse any operational challenges identified, and recommend a number of potential options to Council.
Current Management and Contract
For the past six years the operations of the facility have been managed by a contractor (Belgravia Leisure) who has held the facility management contract with the Shire of Merredin. Belgravia’s contract ends in July 2023, with the option to extend until October 2023.
The recommendation which Council endorses will begin after the current contract ends.
Latest Updates
The Shire of Merredin held a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, to consider two co-dependant items relating to the on-going MRCLC Operation Management Review (the Review).
The first recommendation considered by Council was to extend the services of NAJA, the consultants engaged by the Shire, to allow for the next steps of the Review to be completed. While there has been significant progress made towards the Review and a large amount of feedback collected, NAJA will now define a clear level of proposed service for the MRCLC, for Council to consider.
This process is expected to take approximately 6 – 8 weeks, with an estimated completion in May 2023.
In defining the service level, NAJA will be considering how to best meet the outcomes from the public consultation, while also delivering an affordable level of service. The proposed service level will then be discussed with the community, ensuring the viewpoints of the community are fully considered prior to adoption by Council.
It is important to note that Council have not yet made a decision on who will manage the MRCLC or how it will operate in the future.
The second recommendation considered by Council was an extension of the of Belgravia Leisure contract for a period of three months to allow time for the next steps of the Review to be completed.
During the meeting, Council noted for the public record, that they are supportive of this extension of the contract for the purpose of allowing time for the MRCLC Review to be completed, to ensure the best outcome for the community, while also enabling winter sports to continue to occur without disruption.
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Contact Details
Independent Consultants
Paul Rosair
Principal, NAJA Business Consulting Services
paul@naja.com.au or 0419 930 467 or
Jane Lewis
Principal: Redit Research
jane@reditresearch.com.au or 0419 322 779
Shire of Merredin
Deputy CEO
dceo@merredin.wa.gov.au or 9041 1611
Sign Up for MRCLC Review Updates
Location: Bates Street, Merredin
Phone: (08) 9041 3033
Fax: (08) 9041 3051
Email: merredin@belgravialeisure.com.au
Website: www.merredinleisurecentre.com.au
Opening Hours:
| ADMINISTRATION |
| Monday to Friday |
8.30am to 4.30pm |
| GRANDSTAND BAR |
|
| Wednesday to Friday |
4.00pm to close |
| Saturday and Sunday |
2.00pm to midnight |
| (Closed Public holidays) |
|
Merredin Regional Community and Leisure Centre is a well-equipped community and leisure centre with programs and activities catering for a wide range of interests, ages and fitness levels. There is ample parking and full disability access.
The world class facilities in the Centre include:
- Early years indoor playground
- Indoor heated Hydro-Therapy pool
- Reception area
- Functions/Club room with professional bar
- Commercial kitchen and kiosk area
- Meeting room
- 2 synthetic bowling greens
- Multi-function indoor sports stadium
- External sports courts and ovals
The Centre is managed by recreation and leisure specialist, Belgravia Leisure. To view the full website, please visit www.merredinleisurecentre.com.au
Sponsors
Click this link to be directed to a page acknowledging the organisations and individuals whose sponsorship helped to make the MRCLC a reality:
Recreation Centre Sponsors