Southam joins elite band of leisure centres

Local residents in Southam and the surrounding area are benefiting from having a top-class leisure facility on their doorstep.

Southam Leisure Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, was rated 'excellent' following Quest Facilities Plus Assessments - putting the facilities in an elite set of centres nationally.

Quest is a continuous improvement tool for leisure facilities and sports development teams and is managed by Right Directions in partnership with Leisure-net Solutions, on behalf of Sport England.

The centre, popular with the local community due to its 25m swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym facilities, scored highly in many areas within the mystery visit and formal assessment elements.

These included cleanliness, community outcomes, health and safety, planning to improve, maintenance, customer experience, team skills and development, swimming lessons, safeguarding, marketing and research.

Notably, its swimming lessons, safeguarding, health and safety and maintenance and equipment, received the highest scores.

Everyone Active's contract manager, Alex Fuoco-Lang, said: "We are delighted with the outcome and believe it is nothing more than the centre and the team deserve.

"The centre is evolving and improving despite the impact of the pandemic, and since reopening post-lockdown we've received a fantastic response from our members."

The award not only recognises the consistently high-quality services delivered by staff and the top-class facilities on offer to customers at the centre, it also acknowledges the extra effort by Everyone Active to engage the community and improve individuals' health and wellbeing through fun, affordable activity.

Alex continues: "The Quest scheme is very customer focused and high-end facilities alone will not result in an 'excellent' banding being secured.

"This is only achieved through a strong team of staff consistently delivering high standards of customer service to the local community."

Cllr Matt Jennings, Culture, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio says: "This recognition rewards the team's efforts and professional management of the Southam Leisure Centre and provides reassurance to the local community and together with Everyone Active our commitment to continue to provide high standards of service.  I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication in making this happen and to congratulate them all on this superb achievement - well done."