Richmond Football Club continues to build the most diversified sporting business in Australia after Aligned Leisure – the Club’s recreation facility management business – was recently awarded the opportunity to manage the new Bay Pavilions in Batemans Bay, NSW.

The $69 million Eurobodalla Shire Council precinct, funded in conjunction with the NSW and Federal governments, is due to open for business in 2022. The new facility includes an arts and cultural centre, indoor aquatics facilities, a water park, gym, group fitness, and wellness areas.

This new partnership will also see Aligned Leisure manage the Moruya War Memorial Pool and the Narooma Swimming Centre.

The addition of these three facilities will see the Aligned Leisure network grow to 29 facilities across seven local Government areas and private schools across Australia.

Aligned Leisure currently employs more than 600 staff to cater for the more than 2.1 million facility visitations annually. These numbers are set to increase with the addition of 180 staff and expected visitation of over 350,000 each year across the Eurobodalla locations.  

Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes welcomed the announcement, saying Aligned Leisure had demonstrated a clear understanding of how best to connect residents with the Bay Pavilions’ services and programs.

“From the CEO down, they’re a company we can work with, thanks to our shared vision for this amazing new facility,” Cr Innes said.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said the appointment of Aligned Leisure was another significant step forward for the business.

“The Eurobodalla Shire Council had a vision for this facility, and they should be congratulated on what they have delivered. We look forward to working closely with the council and the local community to bring this to life,” Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said.

“The Aligned Leisure business continues to grow. CEO Shane Dunne is a highly-experienced leader and he has assembled an excellent team that works to deliver the highest quality recreation, health and wellbeing outcomes for the local community.”

“We were clear when we established this business that we were well-placed to deliver great community outcomes as it aligns perfectly with what we strive to deliver as a football club. Health and wellbeing is a core part of being an elite sporting club, and it is great to be able to replicate that commitment at a community level.”