TWO of the best sports centres in the UK are based in Sheffield.
Two sports facilities operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV) have won national health and fitness industry awards.
The English Institute of Sport – Sheffield took the Club of the Year (under 1,000 members) title at the prestigious Fitness Industry Association’s FLAME Awards 2010.
Concord Sports Centre was named Centre of Year, narrowly beating SIV’s Hillsborough Leisure Centre, which was also shortlisted in the same category.
The FLAME (Fitness Leadership and Management Excellence) Awards celebrate excellence within the industry. It helps clubs and centres to benchmark their facility and honours the people who make a profound contribution to their communities and organisation.
Lorenzo Clark, Director of Operations for SIV, said “It is fantastic to receive industry recognition that we are providing the best facilities and services in the UK for our customers.
“The goal for every leisure centre is to win the FLAME award. The awards act as a national benchmark for leisure centre’s up and down the country and they are an important yardstick for judging and maintaining industry standards.
“Concord Sports Centre is in the heart of the community and meets the needs of centre users of all ages and abilities and their satisfaction is paramount to us. We’re delighted with the positive feedback we’ve had and hope to increase it even further.
“For us now the goal is to continue our exceptional success through constant development, improvements and expansions.”
“At EISS we’re constantly striving to provide the best possible facilities and service and lead the sector and we’re delighted that this has been recognised.”
Hillsborough was going for its fifth FLAME Award having won the Centre of the Year title for an unprecedented four times from 2005 to 2008.
SIV fitness specialist Dave Birds was also shortlisted for a Future of FLAME Award in recognition of his dedication to the health of the local community.
The SIV facilities were shortlisted following a rigorous selection and inspection process covering member relationships, health and safety, customer service, fitness programming, presentation and cleanliness, staff development and community programmes.
Steve Brailey, chief executive of SIV said: “Sheffield is home to a number of world class sporting facilities – including the very best in EISS and Concord. The FLAME awards are testament to the dedication and skills of all of the team who are fully committed to the efficient running of the venue and providing the highest possible levels of customer service, an ethos that is echoed at all our venues.”
Nationally renowned leisure services provider SIV operates one of the biggest concentrations of diverse international venues in Europe including Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, iceSheffield and Don Valley Stadium.
SIV’s award winning Fitness Unlimited membership scheme offers access to four facilities operated by SIV - Ponds Forge, Hillsborough, Concord and Don Valley – and currently has a record 16,000 members.
The FLAME Award winners were announced at the Ball of Fire Ceremony on Wednesday, July 14.
