Licensed Clubs are providing Health Clubs, swimming pools and in some cases, Day Spas and hotel/motel accommodation. RMP have been retained by many clubs in recent years to assist them to develp these facilities for their members and to provide another revenue stream for the Club.
Denis Pontin as Principal Consultant with RMP has developed over 30 successful fitness centres and pools around Australia since 1990 and presented papers of facility development at numerous conferences including AsiaFit in Hong Kong in 2000.
He is successful because he understands all aspects of the operation of fitness centres and pools and studies trends from research undertaken for clients to ensure the relationships, size and components match the existing and latent market.
Case Study
In 2001 RMP were engaged to develop a new Lifestyle Centre – Aquafit for Campbelltown Catholic Club. This is now recognised as the „benchmark‟ for Clubs seeking to develop fitness and lifestyle facilities. It comprises a 6 lane 25 metre swimming pool, 16 x 8 metre program pool, gymnasium, cafe, child minding facility, exercise rooms, day spa and administration area and won the Macarthur Business Award 2004, 2005 and 2006 in the “Most Outstanding Health and Fitness” category. NSW Fitness Centre of the Year in 2004/05 as well Best Fitness Centre in the Registered Club Category 2004/05 as well as the 2004 Winner – Outstanding Architecture – Campbelltown City Council and Master Builder’s Association award.
Another RMP project involved a Fitness Centre and refurbished indoor 25m pool for Easts Rugby League Club, turning the under-performing 2nd floor of the Club into a successful Health Club called Elix‟r. This facility opened at Bondi Junction in August 2005 and the financial projections developed by RMP in conjunction with Club management have been achieved.
Denis Pontin assisted Tuggerah Lakes Memorial Bowling Club (now diggers@theentrance) to find an Operator to invest in the refurbishment and fit-out of the lower level of the Club to provide a modern Fitness Centre for members and return a rent to the Club.
This relatively small Club had no capital to develop their Club and were keen to improve the image and attractiveness of the Club to a younger age group. This has occurred with the Business Plan and strategy developed by RMP in conjunction with Club Management.
A similar project was completed for Merimbula-Imlay Bowling Club developing a new Health Club in the lower level of the Club. Denis Pontin completed the design and Project Management of the refurbished squash, pool and fitness centre at the Schools, University and Union Club in Phillip Street Sydney in 2009. RMP was the management consultant for Revesby Workers Club to assist in the redevelopment of a new 1,800m2 Fitness Centre.
The new Fitness Centre opened in 2008 and has increased membership to over 4500 from 2600.