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Operational Review - Tatiara District Council Swimming Facilities
Categories:
Operational Review - Tatiara District Council Swimming Facilities
Client:
Tatiara District Council, SA
Project Length:
September 2025 to January 2026
Project Description:
LARCAN was engaged by Tatiara District Council to undertake an operational review of Council’s swimming facilities to inform future operational improvements including financial performance, asset management, community connection and visitation and safety and compliance. The review examined asset condition reports, current operations, community needs, facility performance and financial sustainability, and provides clear, evidence-based recommendations to improve efficiency, optimise costs and enhance community outcomes, while informing future planning and investment considerations. The report also included recommendations relating to Council’s community pools coming to end of life and steps to inform future asset needs for the community.
Description of Services:
- Undertook a comprehensive operational review of Council’s aquatic facilities at Keith Swimming Pool and Bordertown Swimming Pool to assess performance, sustainability, safety and community value.
- Reviewed and synthesised key background documentation, including Council strategies, historical attendance data, profit and loss statements, utility usage, fees and charges, and the MLEI Consulting Engineers Asset Condition Reports.
- Completed a detailed demographic, health and socio-economic analysis to understand current and future community needs, participation drivers and barriers to access across the Tatiara district.
- Conducted site visits to both facilities to assess operational practices, staffing, supervision, programming, asset condition implications, safety and compliance considerations, and opportunities for improved activation.
- Analysed financial performance and cost drivers, including staffing structures, maintenance expenditure, utilities and subsidy per visit, and benchmarked performance against industry data (including CERM) and regional comparators.
- Reviewed visitation patterns and program performance, including learn-to-swim, swim clubs, aqua fitness and casual use, with consideration of seasonality, weather impacts and operating hours.
- Delivered IAP2-informed stakeholder and community engagement, including internal Council and staff engagement, swim clubs, schools, allied health providers, community organisations, retirement villages, and a community-wide survey and drop-in sessions across Keith and Bordertown.
- Identified service gaps and unmet needs, including access to informal recreation, heat-appropriate facilities, inclusive programming, ageing-well opportunities, workforce capability and activation of surrounding open space.
- Developed a clear and prioritised set of evidence-based recommendations addressing operational improvements, cost efficiencies, risk and compliance, activation initiatives, workforce development, access and inclusion, and marketing and partnerships.
- Provided future planning considerations, including guidance on asset viability, interim service responses, and the need for a future feasibility study and business case to inform long-term aquatic provision across the district.
