Richmond Football Club’s Aligned Leisure has announced a significant contract renewal that will see it manage Cardinia Shire Council’s major recreation facilities for a further 10 years.
Cardinia Shire Council was Aligned Leisure’s inaugural partner in 2016, with the organisation since growing to manage 51 facilities across two states and from 100 staff to over 1800 employees.
Aligned Leisure, a leisure management organisation that leverages community infrastructures and drives health and wellbeing outcomes is a key part of Richmond’s diversified business.
The centres are mostly swimming pools, gyms, and recreation hubs, but they also include variety such as a state-of-the-art theatre in Eurobodalla and a skatepark in Casey.
Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said the steady growth of Aligned Leisure was a significant component of the Club’s off-field revenue.
“The partners that we have in place are fantastic, and Cardinia Shire since the very beginning have been central to that,” he said.
“We are delighted that Aligned Leisure gives the Club a way to use our strength and expertise as a professional sporting organisation to deliver long-term and sustainable results that are not linked to on-field performance.
“At the same time, it allows us to make an impact in the communities we operate in by supporting the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of residents and visitors.
“This contract renewal is a fantastic illustration of how far Aligned Leisure has come and how deep it will continue to thrive into the future, which is fantastic for Richmond, and everybody involved with the Club.”
Aligned Leisure’s renewed contract with Cardinia Shire Council will commence on 1 July 2025, with the total contract term of 10 years, including an initial contract term of four years, and further extension options.
The extension will see Aligned Leisure continue its management and operation of Cardinia Life, Officer Community Hub, Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre, as well as Council’s outdoor pools at Pakenham, Koo Wee Rup, Garfield and Emerald as part of the renewal.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said Council had undertaken a comprehensive tender and evaluation process.
“Council undertook an intensive and fair process which involved a review of the current management model, development of a new contract and specifications, a public tender process and a comprehensive review and evaluation process,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“Thank you to the tender respondents who all invested significant time and resources into this process. We extend our congratulations to Aligned Leisure for being awarded the contract, and for their commitment to providing benefits to the community and alignment to Council’s strategic objectives.”
