Leisure centre ran at £870k loss last year

A leisure centre which operated at a loss of around £870,000 last year should be safeguarded as a holistic community service hub, a States of Guernsey review has found.

A four-stage review is looking into the sustainability of the Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in Amherst, St Peter Port, which lost money largely due to electricity and staffing costs.

The first two stages have concluded, with recommendations including repurposing underused spaces such as the sports hall, squash and outdoor tennis courts.

The review said there was "strong interest" in co-locating a number of government, private and charity services to maximise efficiency and create a holistic community service hub.

The recommendations are part of an independent review into the island's largest municipal leisure facility.

They have been endorsed by the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture and an independent steering group.

"Beau Sejour is a cornerstone of Guernsey's community life, with the potential to evolve into an even more inclusive and impactful facility," the report concluded.

"By addressing current challenges and capitalising on identified opportunities, it can continue serving as a vibrant hub for health, wellness, and cultural engagement for generations to come."

Beau Sejour was found to be providing essential leisure, cultural and social services and was a multifunctional hub for health, culture and community engagement.

In a joint statement, the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture said: "Beau Sejour accommodates activities and provides facilities that are a key part of our community, and the committee greatly values the social and economic contributions made."

The centre's purpose and value "have now been clearly defined through this consultation", they added.

The report said the centre's long-term sustainability required "a proactive approach to balance economic viability with community benefit", with the various uses of the centre and its future management and finance options needed to be reviewed.

The centre was found to generate £1.39m a year in social value for Guernsey, ranking in the top 25% of similar facilities for social value per participant.

It was found to provide significant public health benefits through physical activity and sport, playing a strong role in rehabilitation and preventative health.

The fitness and swimming facilities were found to be well used, with operating costs "generally well-controlled, and secondary income sources are above average".

Recommendations also included an increase in spending on marketing to attract new customers, while flagging up that ageing assets required increasing maintenance, which could become unsustainable.

Higher than industry average staffing costs as a percentage of income should be monitored and reviewed in light of industry and the local norms, the report added.

It also recommended reviewing energy use to shift from oil to greener alternatives.

The final two stages of the review are due to conclude by the end of this year.

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