AusLeisure

Belgravia Leisure’s New Zealand operations have been recognised at the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Conference Awards Dinner with the presentation of two major industry awards.

Presented on Thursday 25th October, Mark Blake, Belgravia Leisure’s General Manager for New Zealand, accepted the prestigious Paul Stuart Memorial Award for Excellence in Facility Management while the Huntly Aquatic Centre received Outstanding Pool Award.

The Awards topped off an eventful week in which Belgravia Leisure, headed by Chief Executive Nick Cox, delivered the Recreation and Leisure Industry Leaders Summit, offering insights on how industry managers can drive and grow their community and commercial assets, increase community engagement and introduce best practice across the board.

Operating in New Zealand for the last three years and led by experienced industry executive Mark Blake, Belgravia Leisure now operates 12 award winning aquatic and recreation facilities.

Blake’s receipt of the Paul Stuart Memorial Award recognises some of his innovations and community support work which include: the introduction and leadership of Belgravia Leisure (NZ) access and inclusion program; the introduction of the Chinese Swimming program at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre; the introduction of school swimming lessons for the whole Masterton school community and the Swim Tangaroa Swimming and Water safety brand.

In presenting the award Rob McGee (Manager Auckland Leisure) said Blakehad been a great mentor to him personally and a genuine industry contributor and leader and that the award was well deserved.

Huntly Aquatic Centre winning the NZRA’s Outstanding Pool Award meant Belgravia retained the award they won in 2017 for Mount Albert Aquatic Centre.

Blake said he was extremely proud that in three short years Belgravia Leisure has proven itself as an excellent pool operator winning the prestigious award for the country’s Outstanding Pool two years in succession.

Nick Cox stated “we are immensely proud of our Huntly Aquatic Centre team’s outstanding customer service and truly innovative programs that reflect the communities’ unique needs and the extremely attractive pricing structure reflecting the communities’ demographic and cultural differences.

“Fairly quickly you will realise that all the customers are happy, the staff are smiling and enthusiastic. We rank this facility in our top five operated pools internationally.”

Image: Mark Blake, courtesy of Bex Charteris.

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