Annual Report - Stevenage Leisure

L E I S U R E
John Henry Newman Leisure Centre
John Henry Newman Leisure Centre continued its
reputation of offering a range of sporting facilities to
both the local community and users from further
afield. The centre plays an active and important
role in creating sporting opportunities that are
accessible and affordable by all.
2010/11 yet again saw participation at JHN Leisure
Centre grow in successive years, an encouraging
feat which all can be proud of.
JHN Leisure Centre continues to act as a training venue for a large
number of sports clubs throughout Hertfordshire. The centre
continued as a training venue for football teams from Royston, Hitchin
and Bedford. The service being provided by our team has led to
almost all clubs continuing to use JHN Leisure Centre despite a very
competitive environment, with many clubs choosing a home that
they understand to be safe and welcoming.
Continued implementation of the Quality Management System
(QMS), combined with an effective service improvement strategy,
ensured that the centre continued to work towards higher annual
targets for quality of service to all of our customers. This has
provided a base for the centre to improve further into 2011/12.
As with Shephall Leisure Centre, John Henry Newman experienced
a noticeable drop in children’s activities. By effective use of marketing
resources coupled with a solid process being provided by the QMS,
this is an area that has potential to increase in the coming months.
Although John Henry Newman Leisure Centre has been open for
many years, it continues to bring in sports enthusiasts from all over
the county. Clubs continue to renew their bookings at the facility and
this is a credit to the hard work and commitment of both the centre’s
team and our partner authority, Stevenage Borough Council.
The indoor facilities, whilst ageing, remain just as popular with a
number of sports clubs using the venue as part of their training and
competitions. A smooth and effortless booking system allows the
team to meet the additional needs of many of the clubs.
The centre’s commitment to improving and increasing the provisions
for sports development in Stevenage, in partnership with Shephall
Leisure Centre, proved successful throughout the year.
The centre continued to host sessions for Sport Stevenage, which
involved a further 49 sessions for children to attend and receive
sports coaching at great value for money. Participation has been
excellent with many children developing their skills and competing in
the Hertfordshire Youth Games.
Casual usage throughout the year continued to be low and
unpredictable, however the centre managed to add three new sports
clubs to its bookings schedule to improve the variety of activities
available to our customers.
We continue to work closely with Stevenage School Sports Coordinators
to ensure the centre is effectively used to host training for
a wide range of sports, in the build up to the annual Hertfordshire
Youth Games.
36 Annual Report 2010/11