Upon the conclusion of our existing Management Agreement with Belgravia Leisure on 31 October, Essendon Football Club is excited to announce that after a thorough review and tender process, it has awarded the management of the Windy Hill Fitness Centre to leisure facility management specialist BlueFit.
BlueFit operates approximately 35 facilities across Australia, however is based on the corner of Mt Alexander Rd and Buckley St. BlueFit promotes a family culture and commitment towards its motto of ‘Inspiring Community Activity’. We will commence management operations from this Friday.
Rest assured when we re-open the doors at Windy Hill on Monday 9th November you will recognise many of the same friendly faces working at the venue.
For existing customers, all membership, visit pass and swim school data has been transferred across with the handover of the facility. It is important for you to know, there is nothing yet for you to do just yet in this transfer.
All memberships will remain on complimentary suspension, meaning no funds are being taken from your account. Upon re-opening, given the heavy restrictions, we will likely adopt an opt-in model for members, meaning we will not restart your membership until you are ready to return. More detail will be provided in the coming days on this.
At this stage with the current restrictions in place we do not anticipate Swim School returning immediately. We will however communicate with the learn to swim families over the coming weeks as more is known.
Visit pass holders will have the remaining visits transferred across and available to use when they return.
It is appreciated that the members and users of Windy Hill Fitness Centre will have questions regarding this transition, so our CEO, Todd McHardy will be going live on the Windy Hill Facebook page on Wednesday 4th November at 10am and again at 7pm to answer any questions you may have.
We’ve also provided some FAQs below to answer some immediate questions you may have. Communicate will arrive in the coming days on re-opening details.
We look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks back at the Windy Hill Fitness Centre.
FAQs
Following a comprehensive tender process with Essendon Football Club, BlueFit was awarded the management of Windy Hill Fitness Centre. Belgravia has operated Windy Hill Fitness Centre for the past 20 years and with the existing contract expiring, an open tender process was conducted, as is standard practice.
BlueFit is a leisure facility management specialist, which operates approximately 35 facilities across Australia.
BlueFit promotes a family culture and commitment towards its motto of ‘Inspiring Community Activity’.
For more information about us visit www.bluefit.com.au
There are approximately 80 local residents currently employed at Windy Hill by Belgravia Leisure.
BlueFit anticipates the majority of existing staff will transfer to BlueFit, so you will be seeing the same faces at Windy Hill when we’re open.
Centre Management staff will change though and BlueFit senior staff, based down the road, will have a strong presence.
Besides the necessary COVID measures, members and users will not see any discernible change when the doors re-open. We aim to provide as many of the existing programs and services you are familiar with, however will need to make adjustments in the short term while heavy restrictions are in place.
Over time BlueFit will implement enhancements to the current offering based on feedback and patronage, and this will be communicated directly with members and users.
All existing fees and charges will remain the same this financial year and standard CPI increases year on year.
Yes, all active membership data has been transferred across however your membership will remain on complimentary suspension until you opt-in. Any change to this approach due to the lifting of restrictions will be communicated.
BlueFit will be contacting all existing user-groups directly, with the aim of moving towards ‘business as usual’ once restrictions ease.
The new website of www.windyhill.com.au will go live early next week. You will be able to submit any questions directly through the website.
Alternatively you can email windyhill@bluefit.com.au