New managers for South Pine Sports Complex

Belgravia Health and Leisure will take over management of the South Pine Sports Complex Indoor Sports Centre from January 1.

Moreton Bay Regional Council received three tenders to manage the centre – two conforming and one non-conforming.

Belgravia’s tender was deemed to demonstrate high levels of relevant experience, company capability and understanding of the services sought, while the Northside Basketball submission demonstrated some relevant experience, company capability and understanding of the services needed.

Belgravia will run the centre for the next three years, with two one-year option periods available at Council’s discretion.

The South Pine Sports Association, which was established 25 years ago and currently manages the complex, did not submit a tender.

Protecting users

Councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) told last week’s council meeting that while she understood the need to award the tender based on the best value, she had concerns about maintaining the current arrangements for existing users.

“At the end of the day it’s a community sports facility – it’s not a business – it’s an amazing complex and it has a constant flow of requests for sports booked throughout the facility,” Cr Tonks said.

“My concerns are around maintaining the current arrangements for the existing groups and keeping it as a community facility and not a business.

I“I find it really difficult to put a price on the benefits that the groups bring to the community as well as to many visitors.”I

Community and environmental services director Bill Halpin said a major part of the tender process involved ensuring user groups were protected and allowing Council to set the fees and charges associated with the venue.

“With this model Council has more control over the model than it had previously,” he said.

“Belgravia has to provide the day-to-day operations, but the fees and charges will come to Council.”

While Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway expressed concern about Northside Basketball missing out on revenue from running the centre, Councillor Mick Gillam said he preferred to vote for a company with demonstrated experience.

Eleven councillors voted in favour of granting the tender to Belgravia Health and Leisure, with Cr Tonks voting against.