Case Study: Save Alva Pool · The Alva Swimming Pool had been scheduled for a multi million pound...

Updated: January 2012

Case Study: Save Alva Pool June 2011

Contact Details:

Ochil Leisure Enterprises (new organisation name)

Web: http://www.facebook.com/savealvapool

Key Contact:

Chair: Farquhar Wilson – [email protected]

Further Contact: Jenny Paterson – [email protected]

Group email: [email protected]

Legal status:

Currently Ochil are an unconstitued group although are poised to apply to become a company limited by guarantee with charitable status should they be given the green

light to progress with the transfer of the asset.

Background:

The Alva Swimming Pool had been scheduled for a multi million pound refit however in February 2011 the local authority announced the facilty would be closing as of June 2011. Original proached by Alva Swimming Club in February 2011, then laterally the wider community group, seeking advice on the feasibility of attaining the asset from the local authority and running it as a sustainable social enterprise.

Support Accessed:

Support provided by the Coordinator via meetings, signposting and contribution to “Interim plan” e.g. statistics and case studies from other Sport SEN members. COSS (Community Ownership Support Service) project have liaised with the group and are also working with Clackmananshire Council. Investing in Ideas – feedback given on application. This money would allow a full investigation of the proposal for the community to take over the asset however timescales mean any decision will be after the September deadline

Community Enterprise, a social enteprise business development organisation agreed with the Coordoinator to offer some support on pro bono basis.

Future Plans:

Submission of interim plan including financial modelling to be submitted to the local authority by 30

th September 2011.

If given a stay of execution by the local authority then to carry out a full feasibility study / business plan into the viability of saving the facility and running it as a community led social enterprise.

Lessons Learned

Early financial support is vital to ensure full feasibiity study and business plan can be carried out prior to acquisition of an asset.

Best Practice examples / potential for replication

Community campaigning can ultimately be successful against the odds

Enterprising Activity

Despite negotiations being ongoing the group are organising a fundraising ceildh for early 2012.

Transferable skills / knowledge

Use of Dropbox for shared files Experience of campaigning to local elected members

Progress update:

The facility, as of 26th June 2011, is now closed with plans to demolish it at the end of

September 2011. The local authority have intimated that they will consider a fully costed business plan to be submitted by end of Septmber 2011. Due to time constraints the plan the group will submit will only be interim in nature.

A council decision was made on 3rd

November 2011,to transfer the asset to the group with an additional sum of £100,000.

Jan 2012 - The group have now been presented with a legal contract by Clackmannanshire council and with the financial support of the COSS project are accessing Senscot Legal for advice. In addition they took part in a study visit to fellow Sport SEN member Atlantis Leisure.


Case Study: Callander Sport & Adventure Project April 2011

Contact Details:

Address: Callander Sport & Adventure Project

8 Lubnaig Drive

Callander

FK17 8JX

Key Contact: Maz Frater Email: [email protected] Telephone: 07968 042336

Legal status: Currently working under the banner of Callander Community Development Trust - www.callandercdt.org.uk

Considering legal structures including SCIO and Co. Ltd by Guarantee with Charitable Status

Background: Callander Sport and Adventure Project is a new and rapidly developing initiative that acts as a hub for sport and adventure activities in Callander and throughout the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Activities will include:

• Run a calendar of sport adventure outdoor events and talks

• Create a web based hub for all local sports and adventure activities

• Work with young people to increase participation and creat opportunities for accessing careers in this field.

Current Situation:

The venture successfully ran it’s first public event, the Highland Games Hill Race

Support Accessed:

• Attendee at Sport SEN conference and study visit to Atlantis Leisure

• Signposted to Just Enterprise for business development support & Senscot Legal re legal structures.

Future Plans:

Raise the profile and gather support for the venture via an open evening for the community and possible partners – scheduled for 20

th September 2011.

To complete a full feasibility study and business plan with a focus on accessing start up funding.

Lessons Learned: Biggest challenge has been accessing start up funding.

Best Practice examples / potential for

Community consultation event held with over 70 participants.

replication:

Enterprising Activity:

Relationship built with local businesses as increase in adventure sports activity will not only be beneficial in terms of health and wellbeing but also if done correctly will benefit the local economy

Transferable skills / knowledge:

Wider perspective of the landscape engages others in addition to sport and youth organisations e.g. economic regeneration and tourism focused bodies.

Progress to date:

Successfully applied to Just Enterprise and soon to embark on work with one one of the consortium delivery partners Lanarkshire Enterprise Services

Jan 2012 - They have negotiated use of office space from Stirling Council. Based in Callander, it comprises 2 desks plus phone & other services all of which have been offered rent free for an intitial 6 months period. Work is currently underway on the events programme for 2012.


Case Study: Crags Sports Centre June 2011

Contact Details:

Address: c/o Boroughmuir Blaze

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.blazebasketball.co.uk

Key Contact: Simon Turner - [email protected]

Eugene Mullan - [email protected]

Legal status: Application submitted to become a SCIO

Background: Boroughmuir Blaze Basketball Club, Basketball Scotand & Castlerock Edinvar housing association have come together to take over the running of the Crags Sports Centre in Edinburgh. The centre was previously run for the council by Edinburgh Leisure however it was closed in December 2010. The partners hope to create both a basketball hub and an open and friendly community facility for use by mothers & toddlers groups, local schools, fitness and wellbeing classes amongst other things.

Support Accessed:

• Linked to Sport SEN

• The Coordinator is providing support and signposting for the group

• After signposting, supported by COSS (Community Ownership Support Scheme) to assist around the matter of asset transfer and possibilities of early stage SLA to cover revenue costs.

Future Plans:

By January 2012 to take over the lease on the sports centre and begin development. Negotiating with local school to host all games and PE during an extension period while the school is being refurbished.

Lessons Learned: In pre-start stage

Best Practice examples / potential for replication:

Partnership with local housing association has most likely added credibility to their case in the eyes of the local authority. This partnership may also lead to fast tracking the building of good relationships with local community groups. If successful an interesting case of club, community and sports governing body partnership


Relationships have been built with local school who are being decanted during a major refurbishment. This is due to commence towards the end of 2012 for a period of 2 years and there is willingness to deliver school sports activities from the Crags Centre


Negotiation of lease with local authority Parternship with sports governing body

Progress to Date:

Have been identified as preferred leaseholder for the facility at a peppercorn rent. Funding applications submitted to Awards for All and in preparation for additonal revenue funding for development staff. Jan 2012 - The organisation hopes to take over the official lease early in January with the building now up to the required safety and operating standards. They have been able to accommodate some initial activities before the official start date and have a number of bookings for January from local schools, Active Schools, Canongate Youth Project and various sports groups.


Case Study: Case Study: Evolution Skatepark April 2011

Contact Details:

Address: Saltcoats Road, Stevenston, KA20 3JR

Telephone: 01294 607 799

Wesbite: http://evolution.site88.net/

Key Contact: Robert Paterson


Legal status: Registered Charity

Background: Evolution Skatepark is the UK's largest, outdoor, fully supervised, concrete park opened in 2005 with a 25 year lease on ground. It is very much embedded in the community with a friendly inclusive atmosphere.

Income is generated through admissions, catering and equipment hire – helmets, skates, bikes and via one off events.

Support Accessed:

• Active and supportive Sport SEN member

• Hosted study visit by 7 fellow network members

• Seek signposting from coordinator

• They have been supported by Opp2mise (Cunningham HA – wider role) and the Irvine Bay Regeneration company

Future Plans:

The organisation has plans to build indoor Skatepark on adjacent site. This would allow the facility to become an all weather complex with a café, meeting rooms and offices. Plans can be viewed at http://evolution.site88.net/index.php?p=1_45_New-Park-Proposal

Lessons Learned: Engagement of consultants can be challenging when gorup are inexperienced.


Community spirit of the project is the key driver with active staff and peer to peer support for all new visitors.


Sale of hot food over the lunchtime period on weekdays generates significant income from pupils at the nearby secondary school. A small indoor meeting area is available for their use.


Generation of considerable income from catering with limited kitchen facilities

Progress to Date:

Their biggest challenge is the weather e.g. last year the facility was closed 49% of the year hence they are developing plans to build an indoor facility.

Jan 2012 - They continue to pursue funding for their new indoor facility however have been asked to review their proposal by Sportscotland who would prefer to fund a covering for the present outdoor skatepark.


Case Study: Ladywood Leisure Centre February 2011

Contact Details:

Address: Penicuik Community Sports & Leisure Foundation, 14a Yarrow Court, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 8HD

Tel: 01968 678 473

Web: http://www.ladywoodleisurecentre.co.uk

Key Contact: Bill Fearnley


Legal status: Co. Ltd by Guarantee with Charitable Status

Background: The foundation was established as a charity and not-for-profit company in early 2007 to operate the Ladywood Leisure Centre under a lease from Midlothian Council with runs until 2027. It has 1.5 full time equivalent employees and approximately 30 volunteers. The lease includes the main building with large games hall, several smaller halls, 2 with kitchens and an all weather pitch outside.

Support Accessed:

• Provided support to the Chairperson particularly with funding application to the Robertson Trust

• To support future funding applications linked the organisation with the local interface (MVA)

• Linked the organisation with Heart of Midlothian Education & Community Trust which resulted in a young person taking up a 6 month job placements.

• Signposting to support and funding

Future Plans:

Plans to extend the building in three different areas with the top priority in the short term being phase one which provides additional storage. All extensions will enable increased usage and allow for the generation of additional income.

Phase one is currently part funded.

To increase staffing and build capacity of the board.

Lessons Learned:

Challenges of retaining willing and capable board members


Ongoing engagement of volunteers who initially campaigned to save the centre from closure. The centre now runs with 90% of those volunteers who keep the centre open on a rota basis.


Shift from sports faciltiy to community focused centre welcoming a wide range of non sporting and sporting activities. Hire of office space to external business


Long term retention of committed volunteers Balance of running a facility with only 2 employees and a large pool of volunteers

Progress to date:

In the first three years centre usage was increased from 22% to over 60% and is currently by up to 1800 people per week from all parts of Penicuik and beyond, The centre made an operating profit of £6,000 in year 2, with a small loss in year 3 due to capital expenditure e.g. upgrade of heating system

Jan 2012 - Having successfully applied for funding from the Robertson Trust, Ladywood Leisure are in the midst of estending their storage faciltitiesd and recruiting a Development & Outreach Officer with additional responsibilities to deputise for the Centre Manager. They are receiving support in relation to the recruitment from the Development Officer.


Case Study: Lochaber Sports Association January 11

Contact Details:

Web: http://www.lochabersportsassociation.org

Key Contact: Jane Blanchard


Legal status: Co. Ltd by Guarantee with Charitable Status

Background: Lochaber Sports Association which came about after the merger of the local sports council and Sportlochaber and is now the voice and coordinating body for sports clubs across Lochaber. In addition they are keen to bridge the gap identified by many local clubs for winter weather provision and as a result have researched and identified a suitable structure which can deliver this.

Support Accessed:

The group are keen to ensure the long term sustainability of their organisation and in particular of their planned indoor training facility. As a result they have:

• Worked with the Sport SEN coordinator to gain an understanding of the social enterprise model

• Accessed feasibility study and business plan templates

• Visited other Sports SEN members e.g. Atlantis Leisure

• Linked to COSS project around asset transfer

Future Plans:

Acquiring site from local authority and continuing to pursue covered pitch facility.

Lessons Learned: No single point of information for artificial playing surfaces which led to considerable time being spent on research and visits to other sites. As the market is saturated with providers it makes it difficult to identify the optimum product.


Vital to utlise local connnections and build relationships


Designed and had constructed a smoothie making bicycle which is utlised to generate income while at the same time raising awareness amongst schoolchilden and local community groups.

Transferable skills and knowledge:

Knowledge acquired re artificial pitch surfaces suitable for shinty, rugby and football

Progress to Date: The association have had a smoothie bike built and now rent this out to schools and

community groups for a small fee. They have done significant research into both the need of the local sports and community clubs and also into the optimum design of the facility to meet those needs. Agreement to do a full scale feasibility study on a number of sites including one adjacent to the local school. Funding being sought via Leader.

In Jan 2012, LSA issued an invitation to tender for a full feasibilty study on a number of sites for their covered pitch facility.


Case Study: North Coast Leisure December 2011

Contact Details:

North Coast Leisure Centre, Bettyhill, Thurso, KW14 7SS

01641 521400

http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Coast-Leisure-Centre-Bettyhill/290998232298

Key Contact: Patrick Gray – Healthy Hub Development Manager

[email protected]

Legal status: Company Ltd by Guarantee with Charitable Status (Tongue & Farr Sports Association)

Background: A community run leisure centre it comprises a swimming pool with fitness suite and delivers outreach classes across the local area. The facility has a wood chip biomass boiler.

Support Accessed:

Keen and active member of the Sport SEN member attending events, study visits and taking advantage of signposting.

Progress to date:

A Development Officer is now in place for the next 3 years with joint funding from Robertson Trust and Highland Leader.

New activites on offer include Aquafit, Boxercise and Nordic Walking as well as a programme of exercie for older people in the community.

Future Plans:

Overall aspirations are to promote health and wellbeing for people of all ages including the development of sport across the area and ultimately an indoor sports hall facility. The goal is to provide activities for everyone on a scale from those who may only be able to carry out a few armchair exercises through to the development of sporting talent. In the short term they plan to:

• Develop physical therapy services for the elderly and infirm often delivered on an outreach basis.

• Working with local schools for each acquire multi sports areas to begin the development of team sports.

They are also actively involved in plans for a local daycare centre in Tongue which is being transferred from the local authority to be run by the local community. We are central to plans to transform it into a wellbeing centre dealing with all aspects of health, wellbeing and social care.

Best practice examples

Building relationships with the Highand Council Social Work has led to development around funding most recently with staff being able to access training provided via the Change Fund.

Lessons learned Greater dialogue required with other community organisations to optimise delivery of services. Although there is a willingness from the local authority and health board for North Coast Leisure to deliver a range of outreach services this has not always been accompanied by funding.

Enterprising activity

Developing healthy option lunches and snacks for local school children. Staff now trained are delivering outreach fitness classes in outlying village halls e.g. Zumba.

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Progress update:


Case Study: Visions Leisure November 2011

Contact Details:

Visions Leisure Address: Broomfield, Auchinleck Road, Cumnock, KA18 1AN Web: http://www.visionsleisure.com/ Telephone: 01290 425954

Key Contact:

Anne Hendry (Funding and Development Officer) - [email protected]

Gordon Smith (Director) - [email protected]

Legal status:

Co. Ltd by Guarantee with charitable status

Background:

After a 7 year campaign the community group behind Visions Leisure successfully fundraised enough capital to build their swimming pool. Building was completed and the pool opened in 2004. Since that time there have been changes to the structure of the building to include a fitness gym and meeting rooms. Although the management of the centre was outsourced for the first 6 years the organisation took the step this year to self manage the facilty. This has brought some challenges as well as cost savings, however it is hoped will lead to greater flexibility for the organisation.

Support Accessed:

Both the development offficer and director are connected with the coordinator and therefore signposting to support organisaitons, funding, updates and to other organisations for peer support e.g. Atlantis Leisure.

The enterprise has connected with Sportscotland to explore the possibilities of being a Community Sports Hub.

Future Plans:

Visions are working in partnership with a number of local sports clubs including the local rugby, football and athletics clubs to explore options for development of it’s facility and the adjacent playing fields.

Lessons Learned:

In the early days, outsourcing of the management of the pool was very successful when the board felt their skills may not be fully adequate. As time passed the additonal cost and external nature of this type of management along with the growth in experience of the board led to what seemed liked a logical progression to self manage. The organisation would agree that the past 12 months have proved to be a steep but successful learning curve.


Visions Leisure as the establshed organisation are acting as the umbrella organisations for the local sports clubs when progressing their shared vision of a multi sport hub.


Visions Leisure has an ongoing enterprising approach with a driver to increase income and deliver to their community led to their earlier work on the building to expand the space and to their current exploration into the feasibility of developing a covered pitch / games area.

Transferable skills and knowledge:

Experience of the both outsourcing and self driecting the management of facility.

Progress to Date:

Ongoing discussion with local clubs and local authority re new proposals. A more comprehensive feasibilty study is being undertaken as an addition to the community consulation which was concluded late Summer 2011. Jan 2012 - Currently in the midst of a £150,00 refurbishment of their changing areas, plu continue to consult with the community on plans to become a Community Hub. Visions are happy to connect with the Sport SEN as they experience the challenges of their first year of complete autonomy in managing their facility

Case Study: Save Alva Pool · The Alva Swimming Pool had been scheduled for a multi million pound...

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