Glenn Quintal in a familiar aquatic centre setting.
Glenn Quintal is all about the connections and opportunities.
The council’s new Recreation Manager is working for his fourth council, having previously been the manager of Wellington’s Tawa and Karori pools, Auckland’s Southern, Central and Western aquatic and recreation centres and Programmes and Services Manager for Tauranga City Aquatics in previous roles.
Glenn has also worked in management roles in the private sector, including as commercial manager for the IRB Junior World Rugby Championships and as sponsorship manager for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
He spent his first few days getting to know staff in Porirua last week.
“I can already see how connected Porirua is to the Arena and Aquatic Centre,” he said.
“The staff are fantastic and have forged those connections, so it’s up to me to understand the nature of the events, programmes and services that are planned, and to keep taking us forward.”
When the Recreation Manager position became available last year, Glenn said it ticked all the boxes.
He said it is not only about the numbers of people through the doors, but the impact a pool or stadium has on the community.
“Access and value for money is important. We’re responsible to ratepayers and it’s about finding the right balance between quality events and making sure our community can use the facilities, with an expectation of good service attached to that.
“I don’t want to change what’s working well, I have no pre-conceived ideas, but I will be looking for opportunities.”
Acting General Manager Customer and Community Andrew Dalziel said Glenn’s wealth of experience in pools and recreation, as well as his commercial, product, sales and sponsorship background will ensure he hits the ground running.
“One of his priorities for Te Rauparaha Arena and the Aquatic Centre will be working with his team to ensure the Council makes on-going business improvements that help deliver a good-quality, cost-effective core service to the community.”
4 Feb 2019
