Lakes Leisure CEO to step down

Lakes Leisure CEO Fiona McKissock is to resign after four years in the role of leading the team that works to increase community participation in sports and leisure.

Ms McKissock said the rapid growth of the CCO over that time meant the organisational structure needed to be reviewed and that necessary changes would be the first priority for the board and new CEO.

“Since 2007, Queenstown Events Centre has grown from attracting 98,000 year to attracting 443,000 visitors in the most recent year.  Across the district Lakes Leisure participation numbers have grown from 460,000 in 2009 to 685,000 in the recent year – it’s the largest people business in the district. The growth has been phenomenal and it’s time for a good look at how the organisation is best structured to be sustainable and to serve the community well,” said Ms McKissock.

Joining Lakes Leisure as CEO in September 2008, Ms McKissock has led a committed team through a long list of achievements including embedding a new $18 million facility (Alpine Aqualand), increasing revenue year-on-year, and reducing reliance on rate payer funding.

Under her leadership, Lakes Leisure has taken on major new responsibilities including Alpine Aqualand and Wanaka Community Pool, sports turf management across the district, development of Alpine Health & Fitness and management of the Frankton Golf Course.

Ready to pass on the reins, Ms McKissock said she has completed what she set out to do and is leaving the organisation and its team in a good position to reorganise for the next period of growth and development.

“The Lakes Leisure I joined in 2008 was smaller, it faced multiple community and organisational challenges and was still finding its way.  The organisation I am leaving is a strong, diverse and much valued regional facility that achieves its brief of increasing community participation in sports and leisure.

Lakes Leisure Chairman Mike Saunders said he was proud of what had been achieved at Lakes Leisure during Ms McKissock’s tenure and thanked her for her leadership and commitment.

“Ms McKissock envisaged the Queenstown Events Centre as a dynamic community hub with excellent customer connection. This has been achieved and this district now enjoys superb, affordable facilities enjoyed by many, many people.”

Ms McKissock will continue in the role until the end of the year allowing the company time to secure a replacement CEO and ensure a smooth transition.