Successful Year for Inverclyde Leisure
Inverclyde Leisure saw an increase of over 100,000 customers use its leisure facilities in another successful year.
The charitable company was established by Inverclyde Council in 2001 to deliver sports and leisure services to the community of Inverclyde in partnership with the Council.
According to its annual report Inverclyde Leisure’s income rose by 9.5% and direct debits increased to just under £2.1 million from £1.8 million the previous year.
Inverclyde Council’s Education & Communities Committee was told the company has also seen a massive increase in swimming lessons; skating; fitness memberships; health; vitality; gymnastics and live action programme participation.
Convener Councillor Terry Loughran said: “Inverclyde Leisure has enjoyed another successful year delivering on the Council’s commitment to encourage and support people towards a healthier lifestyle. Of course that brings with it enormous social benefits and I am extremely encouraged to see the large increase in numbers using the excellent facilities we enjoy in Inverclyde.”
Other significant achievements by Inverclyde Leisure include a £1.2 million investment in the Ravenscraig activity centre with X-Height climbing, soft play and affordable gym; installing the latest fitness equipment technology at the Waterfront Leisure complex and other sites and establishing the Cross Fit facility at Greenock Sports Centre.
Councillor Loughran added: “Inverclyde Leisure has also been investing heavily in staff development and training; introducing a new award scheme; health and safety audit system; a customer charter and new web based booking system. We are fortunate to have excellent facilities across Inverclyde for sport and recreation thanks to major investment over recent years by both organisations. Inverclyde Leisure has taken on the task of maximising the benefits they bring to our communities and I am sure next year will see even more improvements.”
Inverclyde Leisure Chief Executive Kieron Vango said: “Inverclyde Leisure are delighted with last year’s successes and aim to stay at the forefront of Leisure in Scotland. All this would not have been possible without the foresight of Inverclyde’s Board of Directors, hard work and dedication of the employees and our close working relationship with Inverclyde Council.”
Inverclyde Leisure is a company limited by guarantee – not having share capital – delivering the management and operation of Inverclyde Council’s sport and recreational services. These include two swimming pools, a leisure centre with ice rink, athletics stadium, fitness centres and 22 outdoor pitches including five 3G all-weather pitches.
The company is also responsible for managing and running three town halls and six community halls.