The Victoria-based outfit has been awarded a new contract by Bathurst Regional Council.

It will be paid $3.28 million to manage the facility on council’s behalf.

Belgravia Leisure has managed the aquatic centre for the past seven years and local manager Oliver Barclay has been at the helm for most of that time.

He said the company had achieved pleasing results since taking on the centre.

“We’ve had year-on-year visitation growth and with this growth we’ve tried to increase the services we are able to offer to residents,” Mr Barclay said. 

“A case in point is the aqua aerobic classes for retirees and pensioners, which have really taken off. 

“Learn-to-swim classes is another area that’s going from strength to strength. The fact we are also an indoor, year-round facility has helped in this regard.

“It means the classes can be held through the colder months, whereas before this new centre was built, the old pool closed its doors in winter.”

Mr Barclay said members and visitors racked up about 160,000 visits to the Bathurst Aquatic Centre over the past year.

“And I would say these numbers equate to a good mix of the local community,” he said. “But the learn-to-swim classes are a real mainstay.

“At the moment we’re going through what is the peak period for us with the back-to-school summer swimming carnivals.

“I think we have about 16 carnivals crammed in over a three-week period, so it’s pretty flat out down here at the moment.”

Apart from running aquatic centres across Australia, Belgravia Leisure also has involvement in running health clubs, sports stadiums, spa and wellness ventures, event venues, golf courses and tennis centres and even alpine resorts.

The company manages council-run facilities in Melbourne, Newcastle, Adelaide and regional areas, among others.