A HAMPSHIRE leisure centre is one of the best in the country, according to industry chiefs.
Winchester Sport and Leisure Park is one of the top leisure facilities after achieving the elite "outstanding" rating from Quest, the leading national quality scheme for the leisure industry.
The centre underwent a two-day evaluation covering everything from tackling inequalities to environmental management practices.
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Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Winchester City Council, is one of just three facilities in England to achieve this result.
It opened in 2021, replacing the River Park Leisure Centre which had opened in the 1980s.
Quest, Sport England’s continuous improvement tool for leisure facilities, was established more than 20 years ago.
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The leisure centre also went through a mystery visit. By achieving an overall rating of excellent in both Quest Plus and its Mystery Visit, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park has been awarded the accolade of Quest Outstanding.
Standout areas for the centre included team management, swimming lessons, exercise referral scheme, health and safety standards and accessibility.
Alison Lewis, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are tremendously proud of this achievement which reflects our team's unwavering commitment to excellent service and positive community impact.
"Quest's Outstanding rating is the gold standard, attained by only the most exceptional leisure centres nationally. Quest is much more than a tick-box exercise; it is an ongoing programme to improve our facility for both staff and customers, and a great way to demonstrate our achievements.”
Quest’s managing director Caroline Constantine said: “Quest Plus is such a demanding process. By meeting Quest’s high standards for ‘excellent’ centres and achieving an overall accolade of ‘outstanding’, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park has shown its commitment to providing quality facilities and service to its customers.
Winchester Sport and Leisure Park offers an exceptional array of amenities, including a 50-metre, eight-lane competition pool complemented by a 20x10 metre teaching pool. Additionally, it also offers a unique hydrotherapy pool specially designed for rehabilitative therapies.
The amenities extend well beyond aquatics with a large indoor climbing facility, an eight-court sports hall suitable for a variety of activities, and four glass-backed squash courts. The centre’s impressive 200-station fitness suite provides state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment for all levels.
Members can also enjoy a full-service café and beauty treatment rooms on site.
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