jesmond swimming pool

How it was done

1992

60 yrs old, 25 x 13 pool, 2 sunbedsJSP formed registered charity, limited by guarantee5 yr lease, no funding, reserves or supportBusiness plan and community support £2 weeks before opening £50,000 grant FSAConfident but cautious April opening

Pre 1992

Users 96,500Income £35,424Exp £86,400Recovery rate 41%Income/user 37p

1998

Users 145,000Income £242,356Exp £224,543Recovery rate108%Income/user£1.67

Doubled availability of public swimming from 40 to 80+ hours

Significantly reduced energy costs (halved) Consistent programme Efficiently managed water space No wasted water time Open bank holidays and weekends Controlled staff costs Volunteers

Board of Trustees and members

Created smaller sub groupsOperationsPersonnelCommunicationsFinance and fundraisingBuilding development

Monthly meetings anyone can attend

Dedicated board of Trustees Tremendous community support Use of volunteers Careful original team selection Absolute honesty with staff and users Clear objectives Understanding of roles Flexibility of staff Will to win

A sense of ownership A sense of achievement Very clear objectives Instant feedback Feeling in control Tremendous job satisfaction Best ever teamwork Feeling valued

£1.6 million upgrade Increase in turnover and costs Different challenges/new customers Different local authority viewpoint Focus drift from money to impact (SA) Trustee development/recruitment Review of objectives – from (SA)

Expanding Reviewing status and objectives Looking for more challenges Talking to council Developing Social Accounting work Broadening horizons but reaffirming local

ties Considering purchase of building

Must have Social Capital Must have proven demand and need Right people from day1 Appropriate overall structure/governance Local authority support or tolerance Good business plan Community recognition and support Potential to grow

Glenn Armstrong CEO www.jesmondcommunityleisure.co.uk jesmondpool@btconnect.com 0191 2812482

St Georges TerraceJesmondNewcastle upon TyneNE2 2DL