​Castle Leisure Centre rated ‘Excellent’ for Covid-19 control measures

Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre has passed the tough new ‘Quest Prime’ assessment, demonstrating robust protocols in place for both customers and staff.

Sport England’s Quest is the leisure industry’s leading improvement programme, with rigorous evaluations that challenge even the very best centres in the UK.

The new ‘Prime’ assessment was set up to help facilities prove they have sufficient processes in place to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission in their buildings.

An external assessor analysed Castle Leisure Centre across core areas of pandemic management, as well as a mystery visit.

The overall rating achieved was ‘Excellent’, with particular recognition of Team Management, Customer Journey and Community Engagement.

Operations manager Zilpha Lang said: “We welcomed this assessment of our procedures and witnessing of the customer-facing control measures we’ve put in place at Castle.

“The importance of an external professional visiting our facilities and validating the carefully planned work we’ve done to keep people safe can’t be underestimated.

“I’m proud of our team for achieving this Quest Prime standard with a rating of Excellent.

“And I’m especially pleased to be able to share the news with our customers that we’re open for business and ready to welcome them back safely.’

Quest’s operations director Caroline Constantine said: “By meeting Quest Prime’s high standards, Castle Leisure Centre has shown commitment to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

“By developing robust control measures, they’ve given both their staff and customers confidence, meeting demanding and challenging standards.

“In these unprecedented times it’s important that leisure facilities can demonstrate their safety procedures and the value they bring to the local community.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 22 December 2020.

Picture: Duty manager Jason Porter with Castle Leisure Centre staff members Tim and Steph.

Note to editors:

1. Bury Leisure is a community leisure provider for the town of Bury, Lancashire. Activities offered include swimming, gym, watersports, fitness classes*, virtual fitness sessions and wider wellbeing services. Facilities owned and operated include Ramsbottom Pool & Fitness Centre, Radcliffe Leisure Centre and Castle Leisure Centre in Bury. A number of flexible membership options are available, from 30 day rolling, to three months and 12 months paid in full or by monthly Direct Debit. For more info see @buryleisure on social media or www.bury.gov.uk/buryleisure

1. Quest is the UK Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure. Managed on behalf of Sport England by Right Directions, it is a tool for continuous improvement, designed primarily for the management of leisure facilities and leisure development. Quest defines industry standards and good practice, and encourages their ongoing development and delivery within a customer-focused management framework. www.uestnbs.org