Sportsco ups the game

ESB Sportsco is now operating in its 28th year as a Sports & Leisure complex. During that time it has succeeded in fulfilling the fitness and social requirements of ESB staff and their families. In recent years the Irish Leisure Industry has become increasingly competitive and this has resulted in ESB Staff having state of the art facilities closer to home and at competitive prices.

In order to combat this trend, SPORTSCO took the decision in 2006 to invest over 14.5 million in the redevelopment of the facilities here at Ringsend in order to retain its position as one of the top five Leisure Centres in the country. Completion of this redevelopment should encourage existing ESB staff in the Dublin area to frequent SPORTSCO more often and increase the ESB SPORTSCO membership. Membership is more attractive than ever with substantial discounts available to members in various facilities including the Golf Lounge and Day Spa.

Following the decision to proceed with the development, SPORTSCO faced a number of challenges including:

• Safe and efficient operations during the building works.
• Maintaining existing membership base and income throughout the two years.
• Health & Safety implications of maintaining a live building.
• Maintaining levels of membership confidence and satisfaction.
• Increased competition in the local area.
• The present economic downturn.

In order to achieve these, a number of crucial factors had to be taken into account throughout the planning and design and these included:

• Phasing and scheduling crucial to the ongoing operations of the complex
• Clear communication with all members of the design team
• Weekly Site and Design team meetings
• Staff and member input into requirements of new facilities
• Communication to all members through website and signage etc.
• Listening and delivering to people, no matter how small
• Clear membership concessions in line with closures outlined
• Artist's impressions of new facilities and finished product displayed

The Development at SPORTSCO is now complete and SPORTSCO took possession of the final phase in the last few weeks. There are still a number of snagging issues outstanding and we are working hard to finalise these as soon as possible. It has been a difficult two years for members, staff and all their guests but we successfully managed to remain open throughout. Although it would have been a lot easier with a green field site, closing was never an option and we continued to offer an excellent service to all our members.

New Facilities

• New Reception and entrance lobby.
• Gym doubled in size to 6,200 sq. ft including over 70 pieces of state of the art equipment, separate cardiovascular area, weights area, spinning studio and new aerobic studio.
• Refurbished Swimming Pool/ Pool Plant/Sports Hall/Leisure Suite/Squash Courts.
• State of the Art Changing Village incorporating Adult only, Family change, group change and soccer changing facilities. All with underfloor heating and vanity areas.
• CHP and energy management systems.
• Four new competition standard all weather Tennis courts.
• Café/Juice bar on ground floor.
• Day Spa including 5 therapy rooms, hamman bath, manicure/pedicure rooms and tranquility area.
• Golf Centre incorporating five golf simulators and golf lounge.
• Daycare centre with outdoor play area.

We are now looking forward to returning to our normal business of providing the very best in facilities and service to all ESB Staff and their families. In conclusion:

• SPORTSCO is now one of the top leisure facilities in the country offering an extensive range of facilities and services under one roof.
• SPORTSCO has maintained safe and efficient operations throughout entire development.
• Membership base and profits were maintained throughout.
• Staff motivation and retention are at highest levels.
• Present footfall of over 26,000 per month.
• Professional business partners recruited in Golf/Day Spa.
• SPORTSCO in conjunction with Occupational Health provide an on-line fitness program for ESB staff nationwide launched in 2008.

Despite the building work, SPORTSCO has remained fully operational and succeeded in maintaining the White Flag and the Q-Mark Awards for 2008. These achievements are due to the high level of customer service offered by all staff and management alike.

Our new Winter Newsletter is now available and can be viewed on www.sportsco.ie. The Newsletter will also be available at all ESB locations in the surrounding area.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all ESB staff members, SPORTSCO staff and guests for their cooperation and understanding throughout the entire two years. I look forward to personally greeting you all to SPORTSCO and we would be delighted to organise tours of the facility to Staff from all ESB locations. Please contact Administration for an appointment.

As part of SPORTSCO's commitment to the Health & Wellbeing of all ESB Staff and as a gesture of thanks to all SPORTSCO staff members, we will not be increasing our membership prices in January 2009 and ESB Staff and their immediate families can avail of membership to SPORTSCO for as little as €10 per month.

We are truly very proud of our wonderful new facility.

One final quote from Charles Darwin which I constantly referred to over the last two years, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent but the one most responsive to change".

Yours in health and fitness,
Lorna Brady
General Manager