H2O contract extended to allow sufficient handover to trust

10 April 2013
A contract extension has been awarded to swimming facilities management company H2O to allow a sufficient handover period from Waipa District Council to the newly formed Waipa Community Facilities Trust.

The trust has been formed to promote active sport and recreation and to undertake administration of leisure facilities within the district, with an initial focus on the Trust Waikato Te Awamutu Events Centre and the Cambridge Swimming Pool Complex.

Service Delivery manager Barry Bergin said the contract with H2O Management Waikato Limited had been due to expire on July 1 however an extension of time was needed for an adequate handover period.

The trust would take over the reins of the district's swimming facilities from September 16, he said.

Mayor Alan Livingston said the trust members of Merv Gyde, Mike Livingstone, Mike Lord, Ray Milner and Graham Scott all provided governance expertise and had been involved in a variety of community activities within Waipa.

This is an important role for which they have volunteered their time at no cost to the ratepayer, and they should be congratulated for putting themselves forward, he said.

The trustees were chosen by an independent selection panel of Ken Williamson (Institute of Directors), Bev Laurent (Cambridge) and Keith Storey (Te Awamutu), who themselves have vast experience in such roles and volunteered their time to undertake the process.

They were assisted by external Human Resources Advisor Sharee Nielsen.

There remains a vacancy on the trust which may be filled once the trustees have had time to determine if there is a benefit from adding another skillset.

ENDS

For further information contact

Lisa Nairne

Senior Communications Advisor

Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760

Email: lisa.nairne@waipadc.govt.nz