Mawley Park. PHOTO/FILE
PAM GRAHAM
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The big Australian company that manages Trust House Recreation Centre is taking on the management of Mawley Holiday Park and may hit owner Masterton District Council up for some new investment.
The council announced on Tuesday that BelgraviaPRO would take over the management of the park from November 1.
It’s a subsidiary of Belgravia Leisure which manages 120 facilities across Australia, ranging from remote campgrounds in Cape York Peninsula, to premier holiday parks.
“We’re looking forward to discussing with council plans for potential future capital investment, in an effort to achieve greater returns and outcomes,” acting general manager for BelgraviaPRO Alexia Morgan said.
Rodney and Jelena Algie have managed the park for seven years, achieving a four star-plus Qualmark rating and positive reviews online.
There was a 14 per cent increase in occupancy in the 2017/18 year, building on a 10 per cent increase in 2016/17, according to a council report.
The park created income of $443,307 for the council in the year to the end of June but it doesn’t make money out of the park because its expenses, including depreciation and the financing costs of loans as well as the running costs, rose to $458,828.
Rodney Algie has described the park as “a jewel” and one of the best holiday parks in New Zealand.
The couple are moving to Bay of Plenty but will do relief work at holiday parks.
Council community and facilities manager Andrea Jackson said the Algies had done a fantastic job.
“We’re sorry to see them go – we wish them all the best,” she said.
On Belgravia Leisure’s watch, Trust House’s Victor Thompson won the New Zealand Recreation Association’s Lifeguard of the Year. Belgravia Leisure also recently won the NZ Aquatic Innovation Award.
“We’re thrilled to have found a new operator for Mawley Holiday Park that we know and trust,” Jackson said.
BelgraviaPRO plans to combine the scale and efficiency of existing resources at Trust House and provide an improved service to holiday park users.
“Through proven marketing, promotion and social media campaigns, BelgraviaPRO will drive visitation and deliver an improved return to Masterton District Council over and above what any other operator can achieve,” Morgan said.
