Annual Report - Stevenage Leisure

L E I S U R E
Hitchin Swimming Centre
In December 2009, SLL were successful in
winning the Management Contract for the Hitchin
Swimming Centre and Archers Health Club, with
the transfer of management companies to SLL
taking place on 1st April 2010.
Prior to this time SLL had undertaken a significant
amount of work in preparation for what needed
to be a smooth and seamless transition, to ensure
minimum disturbance and inconvenience to both
the centre users and the operational team.
Since the initial transfer and “bedding in period” Hitchin Swimming
Centre & Fitness @ Archers has continued to develop its policies and
procedures in line with the SLL QMS and culture, and the team have
embraced the changes which are inevitably brought about by such a
transition. This has been reflected in the strong overall performance
of the centre, which attracted over 340,000 visitors over the year.
Once again the centre actively supported Swimathon, raising over
£14,500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The budgeted net profit
was achieved by over £130,000 thanks to strong performances by
the AquaEd Swim School, private swimming lessons, retail sales and
fitness income. Fitness memberships increased to a high of over
1,650 members, a number that still continues to grow.
Over the past year Hitchin Swimming Centre and Fitness @ Archers
has continued to develop some close partnerships which assist in the
delivery of the mission statement and company goals. These include
our partner authority North Herts District Council, the extended
Schools Co-ordinator for Hitchin (who also provided additional
funding for Top-Up Swimming), Sport North Herts, and the East &
North Herts PCT with whom we work developing the GP referral
scheme
Working closely with Energ, the centre has also reduced its energy
costs by 3.2%
The current economical climate had an effect on some areas of
operation within the centre, with a reduction in non-essential
spending from certain customer types that use the facility. Schools
have also had their budgets cut and this has impacted on pool hire
and sports hall hire by the local schools. A positive message mission
is being put in place to try to get schools to return to the facility, and
links with the extended schools should bring in additional income for
schools to use the facility.
The success of the centre has generated a sizeable profit share fund.
This fund is to be used for facility enhancements and customer facing
projects. It is hoped to use some of this money in the coming year
towards a new fitness studio, and also to enhancing the changing
rooms at Archers with improvements to the plant and equipment
when necessary.
34 Annual Report 2010/11