The Victorian Aquatic Industry Council has changed its name to Aquatics & Recreation Victoria.

The organisation undertook an extensive review of the role and future of the council and its position as a peak body for the industry.

“It was clear that there were many changes taking place in the leisure, health and community services industries, and it was important we evolve and move to position the organisation to reflect these changes,” said a spoesperson.

A number of key factors influenced the move:

– Aquatic facilities are increasingly multi-functional facilities offering a range of services and programs in the different areas of health, sport, recreation, child care, retail and community development.

– The ‘aquatic industry’ is part of the broader leisure and recreation industry. The trend in the future will be towards greater integration and interaction between the leisure, sport, health and community development sectors.

– New facilities in the future are likely to be community facilities with an aquatic component rather than just a pool.

– The term ‘recreation’ better reflects the types of activities that are conducted at facilities. It also allows the organisation to represent and provide professional development to other sporting and recreational facilities that do not have an aquatic component.

The new name will reflect the growth and evolution of the organisation as the peak body, reflecting the changing recreation environment and new style of facilities that will appear in the future.

Aquatics & Recreation Victoria will continue to manage VICSWIM, the Aquacon and AquaSummit conferences, provide AUSTSWIM courses and industry workshops.

The new name, website (www.aquarecvic.org.au) and email ([email protected]) will be effective from Monday 5 December 2005.

All other contact details will remain the same: 44-46 Birdwood Street, Box Hill South 3128 Telephone: (03) 8843 2000, Fax: (03) 9890 5099