THE successful tenderer to operate the Albury and Lavington pools has made the shock decision to pull out of the three-year contract awarded on Monday night.
Corwade Aquatic Management, owned by former Ovens and Murray water polo identity Maurice Eames and his wife Sandie, secured the tender from a field of five contenders.
But Albury Council has called an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the future management of the two swim centres after Corwade withdrew because of unforseen personal circumstances.
Mr Eames could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
Among the options the council could consider on Tuesday were re-advertising for tenders or selecting one of the other four tender submissions received from Albury Aquatic Management, GT Aquatics, Gus Bormann and the YMCA.
The council will be presented with a staff recommendation on the matter on Monday.
Ovens and Murray District Swimming Association life member and former Albury mayor Patricia Gould said she was “stunned” by Corwade’s decision to withdraw from the contract.
“I couldn’t believe it when I received the information they decided not to take the contract,” Cr Gould said.
“I was looking forward to having the family back in Albury again and being part of our swimming, water polo, learn to swim activities.”
The Eames family has built up an impressive resume of pool management.
That has included stints at Castlemaine, Penrith, Gosford and Dubbo.
Mr Eames is presently an employee of Parramatta Council where he looks after pools at Parramatta and Granville.
During the panel interview with council, Mr Eames demonstrated a passion for Albury and its aquatic facilities and was keen to carry on the goodwill developed by the Mamouney family, who bowed out at the end of last season.
Mr Eames said earlier this week the management of the Albury and Lavington pools was a long-term plan and he wanted to help the council with its aim of building an indoor pool.
Under the contract arrangements, all revenue derived from the operation of the swim centres is retained by the contractor and the council is responsible for maintenance costs and general upkeep.
Corwade nominated a lump sum return to the council of $400,000.
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