Arena ‘Best leisure centre’ in Britain

NORTHGATE ARENA has been named the best leisure centre in the country at the prestigious Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Service Awards 2007.

The Arena, managed by the Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust (CADSART), scooped the Sport and Leisure Facility Management Best Performer Award beating off fierce competition from other local authority leisure centres from across the UK.

The event prompted a double celebration with Northgate’s sister centre, the Christleton Sports Centre, a runner up in the award for The Most Improved Performer of the Year.

CADSART, a non-profit making charitable trust, was the only entrant in England, Scotland and Wales to have centres short-listed in both categories.

For leisure centres to even make the finals they had to demonstrate outstanding performance and excellence in offering the community superb facilities that were also value for money.

The annual awards, hosted by ex-Blue Peter presenter Diana Louise Jordan, attracted more than 450 entries from local council services.

Arena Manager Arthur Jones said: “It’s a tremendous achievement and the team are delighted. The judges looked at every aspect of how the Northgate was being operated, from how we maintained levels of quality to who was using the facilities and whether they were getting the best possible service for their money.”

“To be named as the best overall was a real honour and is testament to the professionalism and dedication of our staff.”

Bob Dutton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CADSART commented "These awards demonstrate the strength of CADSART'S ongoing performance and the commitment of staff to the needs of our clients. The staff deserve full commendations for their efforts and as an organisation we will continue to build on and improve our standards".

Councillor Eric Plenderleath, the city council’s Executive Member for Culture and Community added: "I am delighted that the Northgate Arena has been selected as the Overall Best Performer from a field of over 400 Leisure Centres nationwide.

“For Christleton Sports Centre also to be named runner-up in the most improved leisure centre category, in only their second year of operation with the new swimming pool, indicates the exceptional overall standard that CADSART has achieved. The award follows a rigorous annual assessment, and the Northgate Arena, managed by CADSART, and supported by Chester City Council, has now been top performer twice in the last three years. I pay tribute to the staff at both centres, whose dedication and hard work has been recognised by these awards.

APSE quite rightly described CADSART’s achievements as exceptional, setting the standard for others to follow."

APSE is a specialist in local authority front line services, hosting a network for front line service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.

CADSART General Manager John O’Neill was thrilled to bits that two centres had impressed the judges. He said: “The Staff at the centres work hard to deliver the best possible service to our customers and it’s great for their commitment to be recognised in such a public way”