Alliance Leisure scored an all round winner with Community Leisure Services (CLS) for its development project at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln.

In a client satisfaction survey independently carried out by Leisure-Net, the company scored ten out of ten for - amongst other things - communication, flexibility and the overall relationship.

The £1m development, which was part-funded and delivered by Alliance Leisure, consisted of a brand new, state-of-the-art, 1,300sq ft 65-station fitness suite - the centrepiece to the site's affordable membership programme - which was created by building a mezzanine floor over the existing learner pool.

New dry changing rooms were built to support the fitness suite and a family orientated 'changing village' created to offer a more user-friendly environment. The wet changing facilities now lead on to an all new sauna and steam suite with relaxation area.

An existing bar was converted into a dance studio, the reception and foyer area remodelled to include a new café/bar and public rest area, and an outdoor all weather pitch installed.

Clare Kennedy, CEO of CLS said: “Our aim was to revolutionise the services on offer at Yarborough. Generally we wanted to bring the centre up to standards fit for the 21st century and from a business point of view we saw this as a way to increase throughput and income.

“We approached Alliance to assist with funding the project, because we were attracted to the way the company's funding works - we could pay for the development over a period of time, and also for their understanding of the development process in the public sector. Their experience was invaluable during negotiations with the Council.”

Alliance Leisure's building contractor and the quantity surveyor overseeing the project also scored an overall ten out of ten, taking the final client satisfaction score to an impressive 97 per cent.

Mike Hill, Managing Director of Leisure Net said: “CLS was without doubt the most satisfied Alliance Leisure client I have spoken to. In fact, it would have been difficult to find examples how the experience could have been bettered!”

Kennedy continued: “Alliance Leisure take all the hassle away from the operator. We have been involved in project managing in the past and it has detracted from our ability to run the day-to-day business.

“Rapport is critical, as is the understanding of our needs, and Alliance offered a bespoke service and worked hard to keep the relationship personal and friendly, but in a professional way.

"We are now looking at two further developments with Alliance Leisure, as we know we won't have to worry about the important things taking place.”