INVESTIGATIONS into the Kiama Leisure Centre's operations are likely to start in the coming months with two councillors asking questions without notice at last week's Kiama Council meeting.
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Councillor Monique Dare-Ward asked the council to release a survey to the public on the type of food they would like to see sold at the centre.
"My daughter does gymnastics for three hours and during the break, the kids who haven't brought food run for the canteen and all they bring back is lollies," she said.
"I'm not a 'ba humbug' parent who doesn't give their kids treats, but as a mother I find it bizarre because you go there for health reasons."
Meanwhile, after suggesting the leisure centre's operation would be best served by a private contractor, councillor Warren Steel asked council staff to engage a consultant to optimise the centre's income.
"A consultant can say where we're losing money and what we can do," he said.
Cr Steel said he still thought a private contractor running the council-owned facility was the answer, however he doubted he would have the councillor support to pass it.
"At the moment, only three councillors are prepared to consider it - the others won't even consider it," he said.
He said more activites run from the centre could be a solution.
"The pool's magic and I have no intention to close it, but the leisure centre needs to be let out more often to stop the loss - it's silly having it vacant.
"The staff need to start thinking laterally."
While some NSW councils have reported positive outcomes by having their recreational facilities run by private operators including the Wollondilly and Eurobodalla Shire councils, Shoalhaven City Council went back to council operation in 2002 after its two contractors RANS and Pamstream pulled out within a week of each other due to company administration and cost pressures respectively.
Both were thoroughly investigated before the contracts were signed.
Leisure services manager Jane Lewis said Shoalhaven City Council had kept the operation of its two leisure centres, two aquatic centres and eight pools in-house ever since.
"We managed the facilities on a trial basis and the community recognised the benefit - they were very supportive," she said.
"We believe continuing direct management is the best way.
"We have asset management plans, which prioritise works over a five-year period and we factor in routine services so we're not neglecting equipment."
Reports will be brought back to the council on both matters.
