22 minute read
Two Months in Leisure
Two Months in Leisure Some of the industry headlines over recent months. Daily industry news can be read at www.ausleisure.com.au
New ASM Global expands operations in Australia Newly formed global entertainment entity ASM Global has announced a strategic investment of a 25% shareholding in Sydney-based stadium operator VenuesLive.
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Acquiring the stake from Techfront Australia, the announcement marks ASM Global’s further expansion in the Australian market.
Formed through the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, ASM Global’s operations span five continents with a broad and diversified portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centres and performing arts venues. VenuesLive managed venue, Perth’s Optus Stadium
Georges River Council commences community consultation on site for new aquatic centre Looking at suitable locations for a third aquatic centre in its boundaries, Sydney’s Georges River Council has commenced a community consultation regarding the Draft Georges River Regional Aquatic Site Suitability and Feasibility Study.
Compiled by industry consultants the Otium Planning Group, the Study was endorsed unanimously for public exhibition at a Council Meeting in December.
Applying 14 sustainable assessment criteria to four possible locations within the Study area, Otium Planning Group has identified the Sans Souci Leisure Centre, Todd Park, Carrs Bush Park and Netstrata Jubilee Stadium as suitable locations.
VMA launches first dedicated jobs portal for the venue management industry The Venue Management Association has launched a new industry initiative, the VMA Jobs Board as the first venue industry employment portal.
Researchers put a value on national parks’ impact on mental health National parks worldwide are worth about $8.7 trillion a year in the improved mental health of their visitors, according to initial estimates published by a team of Griffith University researchers.
Griffith ecologists, psychologists and economists led the peer-reviewed Perspective ‘Economic value of protected areas via visitor mental health’, which has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. Image courtesy of Parks Victoria
Catering specifically to the venue management industry, VenueJobs will not only host job vacancies and manage the recruitment process, but also allow for prospective candidates to post their resumes for employers to peruse and bring together industry learning opportunities in one place.
For more information go to www.vma.org.au/jobs-board
Brisbane City Council
Tenders are invited for:
Tender Market Sounding for Riverstage Partnership Project (560230)
Lease and OperaƟ on of City Pools
Details
Council is seeking industry feedback on how to best secure Riverstage as an iconic music venue and cultural icon for the people of the Brisbane for the next generation. Market Sounding documents are available at: https://supplierportal.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ For assistance to register and download documents telephone the Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263). For further information Ph. (07) 3027 3636 or e-mail chelle.day@brisbane.qld.gov.au Brisbane City Council is seeking experienced proponents for the lease and operaƟ on of the following City Pools: Acacia Ridge Leisure Centre, Bellbowrie Swimming Pool, Jindalee Swimming Pool, Musgrave Park Swimming Pool and Spring Hill Baths. Documents are available at supplierportal.brisbane.qld.gov.au For further informaƟ on Ph. (07) 3403 7110 or e-mail dan.padget@brisbane.qld.gov.au
Details
Closing
12 noon Qld time, 28 February 2020 Friday 13th March 2020
Closing
Country Club International
and Golf Business Australia
combine to reduce risk at Australian golf clubs Golf Business Australia (GBA), the country’s fastest-growing golf industry-specific insurance and finance provider, has united with Country Club International (CCI), Australia’s leading distributor of golf course accessories and safety equipment.
The new partnership was formed with the objective to reduce the many risks at Australian golf clubs and facilities by providing safety fencing and insurance products.
Offering ground-breaking products to Australian golf, the two companies have connected with the mutual goal to better the setting around courses and protect clubs against the increasing hazard of wayward golf ball incidents.
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URBNSURF artificial wave park opens in Melbourne One of the most anticipated attraction and surf sport innovations of recent years, URBNSURF - Australia’s first surfable wave park has opened in the Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine.
With waves driven by Wavegarden technology, the attraction has been more than seven years in the making for founder Andrew Ross.
Located just a three-minute drive from Melbourne Airport, the $28 million attraction is divided into three zones: the first has knee-high whitewater for beginners, the second has unbroken waves around waist-height for intermediate surfers, and the third is for experienced surfers with waves up to two metres high.
Recreation Aotearoa and Water Safety NZ emphasise importance of parental supervision at pools Following an increase of pool incidents over the summer, New Zealand industry bodies Recreation Aotearoa and Water Safety NZ have released a statement stressing the importance of parental supervision of children at public pools.
The statement advises “we are at the time of the year when parents and caregivers are starting to return to work, however our children are still enjoying the summer, typically at the local swimming pool” before warning “parents of the dangers at the pool and remind them of their supervision responsibilities around children and water safety”.
It goes on to stress the role of lifeguards as “an important safety feature”, but they are not intended to replace the close supervision of parents or caregivers.
29-30 JULY 2020 Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Woodfordia the site of Australia’s largest all-natural conservation and recreation lake Attendees at the latest Woodford Folk Festival were able to not only be entertained by the extensive event program but were also able to enjoy a new feature on the Woodfordia site - Australia’s largest all-natural conservation and recreation lake.
Lake Gkula features waterfalls, native fish, aquatic plants, a 90-metre-long beach along one bank, an island to swim to and explore, and plenty of large rocks to jump off.
The Y NSW starts operations at three Western Sydney University Gyms The Y NSW has officially become the new provider at Western Sydney University’s three gyms.
The gyms at Hawkesbury, Penrith and Bankstown reopened to the public in January, with some exciting changes and familiar faces.
Advising that the Y is embarking on its “own university orientation”, the Y’s Area Manager, Shane Simmons commented “it’s been an incredibly busy time for the team. As a youth organisation the Y thrives in a university setting and we’re looking forward to becoming an embedded part of this community.”
For more information visit splashexpo.com.au or call 1300 789 845
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Fair Work Ombudsman review leads Quayclean to adopt new business model An on-site audit investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman into employment and payment structures of two subcontracting companies used by Quayclean at Marvel Stadium in 2017 has been the catalyst to completely overhaul the company’s operational and business model.
Quayclean Australia has advised that immediately following the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) on-site inspection, it undertook its own full review into existing customer relationships and operations, including where work may have been completed through sub-contracted companies.
Zoo and Aquarium Association develops plan to help wildlife recover from Australia’s bushfire crisis The Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) is mobilising its Wildlife Conservation Fund to support a large-scale, coordinated response of zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums to the drought and bushfire crisis.
The ZAA drought and bushfire response will focus on wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and long-term species recovery. It will bring together the significant expertise, resources, equipment and facilities across its network of accredited organisations to help native animals in the crisis affected areas. Southern Koala ‘Four Paws’ receiving pain relief at Adelaide Zoo: Courtesy of Zoos SA.
Spartan Race acquires bankrupt rival Tough Mudder Less than two months after Tough Mudder’s creditors in the USA forced it into filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the extreme obstacle race operator has been acquired by rival brand Spartan Race.
Hong Kong’s Ocean Park reveals future vision as adventure-themed attraction Hong Kong’s theme park Ocean Park has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for its future that aims to create an adventure-themed resort destination with a focus on nature, conservation and edutainment.
The HK$10.6 billion (US$1.3 billion) plan, which envisages Ocean Park ending its animal shows, calls for a redevelopment of the attraction into new experiential zones with adventure as the overarching theme linked to the introduction of an array of new attractions and hitechnology thrill rides, including an amazing number of self-paced, interactive rides.
With Spartan Race having also saved Tough Mudder’s UK-based operations, it has, according to Bloomberg, agreed to pay US$700,000 for the company and take on as much as US$10 million in liabilities.
Spartan will reportedly also honour all tickets that were previously purchased for Tough Mudder events.
YMCA South Australia achieves Quality Accreditation for all facilities YMCA South Australia has become the first organisation in the country to have all its facilities achieve Fitness Australia Quality Accreditation.
The nationally recognised accreditation confirms YMCA South Australia’s commitment to providing outstanding quality, value, safety and customer service at each of its eight facilities.
World’s tallest indoor climbing wall opens The world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and widest skydiving flight chamber have opened on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The US$100 million CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi features a 43 metre high climbing wall and an indoor skydiving flight chamber spanning 10 metres wide and 32 metres high.
AFL’s Crows reveal plans to replace Adelaide Aquatic Centre with new training base After almost three decades based at the city’s West Lakes, the AFL’s Adelaide Crows have presented plans for a $65 million training facility that will replace the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
Crows have presented plans for a new administration and training base in North Adelaide include a two-storey building with a gym and swimming pool, along with an upgraded oval in the Adelaide Park Lands on Barton Terrace West.
The swimming pool would be open to the public, and the oval would be unfenced.
Ernst & Young study confirms value of major events to Victorian economy A new study by leading consultants, Ernst & Young has found that the value of major events to the Victorian economy has soared to $2.5 billion a year.
The Eventful Year 2018 report confirmed that a world-leading events calendar continues to deliver for all Victorians. The report was commissioned by Visit Victoria, the state’s primary tourism and major events company. Australian Open: Courtesy of Visit Victoria
Recreation Aotearoa to stage the southern hemisphere’s biggest parks conference in Rotorua Recreation Aotearoa has announced details of its 2020 Green Pavlova conference, which, incorporating the World Urban Parks Asia-Pacific Congress, it says will be “the biggest parks and open spaces conference that the southern hemisphere has ever seen”.
Taking place from 4th to 7th May 2020 at Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island, the conference will bring together the AsiaPacific’s parks and open spaces industry to learn new things, discuss best practice and network with colleagues.
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Australia’s first glass bridge proves a popular attraction for outback Queensland A new glass bridge at Cobbold Gorge in the Gulf Savannah region of north-west Queensland is one of the attractions expected to entice visitors to the outback in 2020.
The 11-metre long glass bridge over the Gorge, 60 kilometres west of Forsayth, is the first ever bridge constructed with an entirely glass surface in Australia.
Built at a cost of $600,000, the 19-metre-high bridge has a glass bottom deck that is 4.5-centimetres thick.
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MCG looks to boost sustainability with ban on plastic plates and cutlery The Melbourne Cricket Club has banned plastic straws, cutlery and plates from the MCG and is investigating phasing-out single-use plastics from its restaurants and bars.
A leader in venue sustainability and environmental initiatives, the MCG is also urging fans to bring their own reusable coffee cups and will be offering patrons the opportunity to recycle any coffee vessels they buy at the ground with stations set up where entire cups - not just lids -- can be recycled.
Plastic plates have been replaced with paper and wooden cutlery while soft plastic packaging has also been banned from giveaways on the external concourse of the 100,000 seat venue.
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Live Performance Australia seeks answers from Google as Viagogo advertising returns With Viagogo appearing to once again be advertising on Google, Live Performance Australia has sought urgent clarification from the search engine giant about the terms by which the controversial reseller has been allowed to resume promoting its online ticket resales.
In July 2019, Google announced that Viagogo had been suspended from its Ad Words platform worldwide after ruling the controversial ticket resale site was in breach of its advertising regulations.
Live Performance Australia (LPA) Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said Google owed Australian consumers, artists, producers, promoters and venue operators a full explanation of its decision to allow Viagogo to resume advertising.
Viva Leisure looks to raise new capital as it announces acquisition of 13 FitnFast clubs Canberra-based Viva Leisure Limited has announced that it is to acquire 13 FitnFast Health Clubs at a cost of $13.5 million.
The strategic acquisition, in line with Viva Leisure’s stated growth strategy, will see the ASX-listed group expand with 10 clubs in NSW, two in Victoria and one in the ACT, gaining a minimum of 21,500 members.
The acquisition further expands Viva Leisure’s customers, products and geographic footprint into new territories via established locations with a loyal membership base and moves the group towards its overall membership targets.
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New research finds Australian cricket not ready for challenges of climate change New research by the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub and commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), has found that Australian cricket is already feeling the impact of climate change and extreme heat - increasing the risk of heat stress on players and the likelihood of match disruptions.
According to the new assessment of the impact and exposure of Australian cricket to global warming, the Boxing Day Test may have to be played at night or in cooler months like November and March as climate change worsens extreme heat.
Manningham City Council’s Aquarena aquatic and recreation centre has passed 50 years of operations.
Plans for the development of a new 25,000 roofed stadium in Christchurch have been approved by the New Zealand Government and Christchurch City Council, with work on the $473 million venue set to start next year and be completed by 2024.(pictured centre left)
BlueFit has announced a new partnership with property developer Lotus Living that will see it introduce BlueFit Swimming to new residents-only aquatic facility.
The ACT’s historic Manuka Pool reopened to the community for its 89th swimming season following a $2.42 million upgrade. (pictured left)
Construction to rebuild Melbourne’s La Mama Theatre has begun, 18 months on from the fire that destroyed the home of independent theatre in Australia.
The new Beast Park activity centre in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur offers climbing and adventure sports facilities while also being a social and community space.(pictured left)
The Art Gallery of New South Wales recently marked the start of construction of its $344 million expansion, the Sydney Modern Project.
The NSW Government has approved funding for the redevelopment of Pier 2/3 at the Walsh Bay precinct.
Plans approved for expansion of Hobbiton attraction Matamata-Piako District Council has approved New Zealand’s third largest tourist attraction, Hobbiton, to operate under their new development concept plan which will allow 3,500 visitors per day and a million per year, up from 300,000.
Sir Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies and the subsequent opening of the Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, saw Matamata, a town in the shadow of the Kaimai Range Mountains, on New Zealand’s North Island, become home to the vibrant visitor destination of “Hobbiton”, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The new plan sees the loosening of noise restrictions thereby creating potential for more events to be held at the tourist destination.
Adventure World asks patrons to wear
‘appropriate swimwear’ Perth theme park Adventure World has been in the news following a request for guests using its waterpark to “choose appropriate swimwear when visiting”.
The Bibra Lake attraction created headlines when it posted a bather bottom guideline on Facebook, taking a stand against skimpy swimwear at its family-oriented waterpark area.
Asking patrons not to be “too cheeky” when visiting, the new dress code immediately sparked fierce debate among followers and subsequent media attention.
The Facebook post advised “Adventure World is a family friendly park, please choose appropriate swimwear when visiting”, alongside an infographic showing that thong and string bikini bottoms were now prohibited.
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Private equity firms look to acquire Village Roadshow Village Roadshow Limited has reportedly received a pair of takeover offers, valuing the company at more than $750 million from private equity investors.
Pacific Equity Partners were reportedly the first to express an interest in the family-run cinema and theme park business, which faced a series of challenges during 2019.
This was followed by a bid from BGH Capital.
Image courtesy of Lake Wanaka Tourism
New Zealand Commission clears Cardrona to acquire Treble Cone The Commerce Commission, New Zealand’s competition, consumer and regulatory agency, has granted clearance for Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited to acquire either the shares of Treble Cone Investments Limited or the assets it uses to operate the Treble Cone ski field.
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Stay ahead of your competition Marriner Group unveils refurbishment of
Melbourne’s historic Regent Theatre Theatre operator the Marriner Group has unveiled its $19.4 million upgrade of Melbourne theatre, The Regent.
Works undertaken have included an increased capacity - with 192 new seats - allowing for flexible seating configurations; new leather lounge chairs in the Dress Circle; upgrade bars and foyers; extensive repair and restoration of the ornate plasterwork; and the grand and glittering crystal chandelier in the auditorium has undergone a full restoration.
Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited is the owner and operator of the Cardrona ski field, which is located above the Cardrona township between Wanaka and Queenstown. Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited is part of the Wayfare group of companies.
List your product in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers
University Basketball League to commence in 2020 The inaugural University Basketball League (UBL) tournament will run from 31st March to 28th May 2020.
Endorsed by Basketball Australia, and supported by the respective State Basketball Associations, the inaugural UBL tournament will be played over nine weeks, with each participating university getting the opportunity to host and livestream the matches.
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Rod Laver Arena named as a top 10 highest grossing venue International music magazine Billboard has named Rod Laver Arena as one of the world’s top 10 highest grossing venues over the past decade.
Built in 1988, Rod Laver Arena is in the company alongside global venues including the O2 Arena in London, New York’s Madison Square Garden and the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
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INCREASE RETENTION AND WIN THE BATTLE WITH THE BOUTIQUES, AROUND THE WORLD
Around the globe, health clubs and fitness facilities are realising the benefits of introducing LES MILLS SMART TECH™ equipment. With 700,000+ uses of SMART TECH in clubs around the globe, every week, and 21% of instructors reporting more members in their classes as a result of using SMART TECH™ equipment, it’s no surprise that SMART TECH is successfully helping health clubs increase retention and win the battle of the boutiques. Here’s what our partners around the world are saying.
NEW ZEALAND It was found that 77% of participants reported a better experience using SMARTBAR™ compared to other brands of equipment, while 56% of participants said the quality of equipment used for
BODYPUMP™ has an influence on whether they choose to continue their membership.
AUSTRALIA Pinnacle Health Club recently introduced SMART TECH equipment into their Oakleigh (VIC) location. Sam McCutcheon, Operations Manager said, “Providing an experience comes just as much from how we offer a Les Mills class to what we offer and who delivers it. SMART TECH very much adds the sharp element to our Group Fitness Studio equipment; it creates a seamless member experience; uses nice sleek easy-to-load bars and SMARTSTEPs, enabling our members to set up and get into the zone in a faster, more practical way. We love our new equipment! It has been the missing piece to our group fitness experience!”
UNITED KINGDOM “No one wants to move backward in an industry moving forward at such a fast pace”, said John Blackburn, Head of Fitness and Customer Experience at 1LIFE in the UK. There, SMART TECH™ is used primarily in the group exercise studio for classes, although they have seen an increase in Personal Trainers using the equipment for its versatility. After installing SMART TECH™ 1Life noticed a drop in complaints about the equipment, along with positive member feedback about ease of use, and visual appeal. In response to the introduction of SMART TECH™, 1Life also saw a 72% increase in BODYPUMP™ attendance with only minor timetable changes, while one club increased attendance levels by 81.1% even without making any timetable changes at all.
AUSTRALIA Fernwood Beverly Hills (NSW) is just one of many riding the wave of SMART TECH success. Group Fitness Manager Noura Ridha said, “The members at Fernwood Beverly Hills loved the introduction of SMARTBAR to our club. We saw a 30% increase in BODYPUMP participation and classes are still going strong.”
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To find out how SMART TECH™ can help your business boost retention and gain more members, contact your local Business Partnership Manager:
NT, SA, ACT, VIC (Great Ocean Road): Scott (scott@lesmills.com.au | 02 62 158 116) NSW: Miriam (miriam@lesmills.com.au | 02 62 158 141 / 04 81 213 176) VIC: Tyler (tyler@lesmills.com.au | 02 62 158 104) TAS, QLD: Kathryn (kathryn@lesmills.com.au | 02 62 158 121 / 04 32 220 792) WA: Lee (lee@lesmills.com.au | 04 24 947 199)
