Invitation for Expressions of Interest for an Operator to Manage the Melbourne Polytechnic Fitness Centre at the Preston Campus

⁠⁠⁠Melbourne Polytechnic is seeking EOI from organisations or individuals to manage and operate the Fitness Centre at the Preston Campus.

The Centre is currently operating primarily as a service to students, staff and community and the entity has been subsidised by Melbourne Polytechnic. Melbourne Polytechnic intends outsourcing the management and operation of the centre to a third party with a view to growing memberships and becoming financially sustainable.

The Fitness Centre is situated on the ground floor of Building F at the Preston Campus. Building F is a modern 3 – floor building which was purpose built in 2013. The building is primarily used for teaching and has a diverse range of students occupying it.

The Fitness Centre location allows it to be closed off from the main teaching areas after hours and accessible via swipe card access from the Student Car Park when the main building is closed.

The Centre currently attracts members comprising Melbourne Polytechnic students, staff and the public. Approximately 220 active members utilise the facility and it is envisaged that this membership base has the capacity for strong expansion under a new operator with appropriate marketing and a changed service delivery model.

Members can currently access the centre 6 days a week and is supervised for the majority of its hours of operation.

The Centre has an extensive range of commercial fitness equipment. There are 14 pieces of cardio equipment, and a wide range of resistance training equipment. There are various pin-loaded and plate-loaded machines and free weights, and plenty of space for stretching and core work. Four plasma TV's are placed around the gym. The centre also has an office, assessment room / kitchenette and modern shower facilities. It is wheelchair accessible. A group fitness room is also used to conduct a range of fitness classes.

The purpose of this EOI Process is to assess the ability of Respondents to manage and operate the fitness centre for students, Melbourne Polytechnic staff and community members. Respondents are encouraged to put forward potential operating models for consideration.