Leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues Ltd (SIV) has announced record sales figures of £24m - demonstrating a substantial 10 per cent rise on the previous year.
Despite facing numerous challenges in the last 12 months, including the impact of the credit crunch and extensive improvement work to its facilities, the company's performance exceeded all expectations.
All nine of SIV's most high profile venues all saw sales increases, in some cases by up to 40 per cent, with strong performances within memberships, community sports, commercial activity and catering.
SIV facilities which performed significantly better than budget included Don Valley Stadium, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield City Hall and the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield.
The company's pioneering health and fitness membership Fitness Unlimited saw a 24 per cent increase, up £680,000 on 2008-09 figures and there were a record 15,000 Fitness Unlimited members at the year end.
Reasons for the organisation's impressive performance this year include record attendances which saw a staggering 3.5 million people go through SIV facilities' doors (excluding Sheffield Arena) - an impressive 13 per cent increase on last year's figures.
Chief executive Steve Brailey and his team of almost 1,000permanent and temporary staff have focused on four strategy areas to help achieve the success.
He said: "SIV has four objectives - to increase participation, maximise the potential of the venues and the people using them, raise the image and profile of Sheffield, and add to the economic prosperity of the city.
"We have been successful in all four objectives. Not only have we seen an increase in the number of people taking part in sporting activities, we have also seen more people involved in our lessons and coaching programmes. Nineteen athletes training at our facilities took part in the Olympics in Beijing last summer."
Other highlights of the past year included staging 184,000swimming lessons, 44,000 skating lessons, 93,000 school attendances and 342 sporting events - nearly one every day while four times FLAME Leisure Centre of the Year winner Hillsborough Leisure Centre is in the running for its fifth award.
The sports events held in SIV venues over the year generated more than 77,000 bed nights and contributed more than £11.5m to the visitor economy across the region.
Steve added: "I am extremely proud of our achievements over the last year and believe we have succeeded in meeting our ambitions of making a valid economical contribution to Sheffield as well as continuing to promote the image and profile of Sheffield both in the UK and across the world.
"Record sales and controlled costs mean excellent results. This is an excellent performance and I thank all our employees who have delivered this superb result.
"SIV has really contributed to the national agenda - more people being more active.Everyone should feel proud, congratulate themselves and celebrate the success."
Looking forward SIV's priorities for 2009-10 SIV will concentrate further on customer relationships, naming rights and sponsorships, health and education partnerships and extending participation.
Steve added: "We have delivered superb results at a time when other business sectors are really suffering through the economic recession. Although we expect the recession to continue we have proved we are extremely good at what we do. It is important we stay ahead of our competitors by driving income and putting our customers' needs first
"Our business is dependent on discretionary income and the spare cash that people choose to spend on leisure and entertainment.
"I am excited by the opportunities we face this coming year. Our knowledge, experience, track record, can do approach, relationships with business partners and trustee support means we will be successful."
To mark its success SIV hosted an employee awards evening in recognition of their continued hard work. Yorkshire Tourism double award winner Sheffield City Hall was awarded Venue of the Year, Employee of the Year went to Darren Butcher from Golf, Team of the Year went to the health and fitness team at Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Rob Evans from the English Institute of Sport was named Innovator of the Year while Manager of the Year was sales manager Stuart Morgan. Business Partner of the Year was The Co-operative Bank.
Pat Smith, general manager at Don Valley Stadium was rewarded for 30 years service, Ponds Forge cashier Tracey Lonsdale, Concord financial administrator Diane Walton, City Hall senior stage technician Brian Cory and City Hall box office assistant Linda Williamson were each recognised for 20 years at various venues.
