The Junee Junction Recreation and Aquatic Centre has continued to reduce its losses in dramatic fashion.
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It comes after the facility increased its patronage by about 12 per cent since last year.
Reducing the centre’s losses has been a major focus for Junee Shire Council in recent years and the facility has eliminated a third of its operating losses since 2012/13.
Junee Shire Council facilities and community development manager David Koren has worked closely with the aquatic centre and said ensuring the centre’s viability has been an intensive process.
Mr Koren believes improving the facility in order to attract more members and patrons has been crucial in the venue’s turnaround.
“We've put a bit of investment into the centre to make it look better and make it more functional for patrons,” Mr Koren said.
“We’ve also bought some new equipment, which is one of the factors that has resulted in a rise in memberships.”
Mayor Neil Smith said the aquatic centre is a great source of pride for Junee and plays an important role in attracting people to the town.
“The centre puts Junee at the forefront when it comes to looking at places to live around the region.
“It’s a major draw card for our town.
“So when people looking at a town to choose a home in, a facility like the aquatic centre really gives Junee an edge.”
Mr Koren says getting its losses under control has also come down to finding ways to better tailor its classes and opening times to the public.
“We had a new software system put in which has been really good for monitoring how many people are turning up.
“It has also given us a better idea of which parts of the facility people using and the times they are using them at.”
“We’ve really been able to target the things that are popular and the things that aren’t going so well.”
The centre plans to continue its current regime of upgrading the gym’s equipment while continuing to tinker with classes and opening times based on popularity.
“I’ll be aiming to come under budget again without compromising any services,” Mr Koren said