World-Class Sports Venues Shortlisted for National Awards
30th May 2013
Two world-class sporting venues in Sheffield have been shortlisted for national awards.
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EIS Sheffield) have been named as finalists in the ukactive and Matrix Flame Awards 2013. The Fitness Unlimited gym at Ponds Forge has been nominated in the Club of the Year (over 3,000 members) category. In the Club of the Year (under 1,000 members), EIS Sheffield's Fitness Unlimited gym has been selected as a finalist. Fitness Unlimited is Sheffield International Venues' health and fitness membership scheme, which has a record 20,000 members. It offers access to venues including Ponds Forge, EIS Sheffield, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre, Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre, Springs Leisure Centre and Heeley Swimming Pool. Earlier this year, 45 additional pieces of cardio and resistance equipment were installed at Ponds Forge as part of a major expansion project. A new-look gym was also opened at EIS Sheffield in 2012 featuring state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, a new group fitness studio and refurbished changing rooms. Steve Brailey MBE, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which operates both facilities, said: -Every year the competition from clubs up and down the country increases, so for two of our venues to be shortlisted is a fantastic achievement. -We are very proud to have such a great standard of facilities. The nominations are recognition of the investments and innovations we've made to provide members with the very latest equipment. It also confirms our commitment to creating value for money memberships which ensure more people in Sheffield have the opportunity to be physically active, which is one of our key objectives. As finalists, both venues will now take part in a customer satisfaction survey. Flame winners will then be announced at the ukactive Ball of Fire on Wednesday 3 July at Telford International Centre, Telford. SIV operates one of Europe's largest portfolios of sports and entertainment venues with 19 facilities, 5.1 million customers annually and has an international reputation for managing complex elite sporting and entertainment environments, championing community participation and sport development. For more information about getting involved in sport or physical activity in Sheffield visitwww.sivltd.com. To find out about Fitness Unlimited visit www.fitnessunlimited.co.uk