Friday 1st July - A new era for sport and leisure in the Borders
A NEW era for sport and leisure in the Borders will launch tomorrow (Friday) with the transfer of the Sports Development Unit and Active Schools programmes from Scottish Borders Council to the Borders Sport and Leisure Trust (BSLT).
The Trust was set up in 2003 by a group of Borders volunteers passionate about sport and leisure facilities in the region and determined to find a way to avoid council cutbacks on services, working with SBC. BSLT now employ over 190 staff in managing nine facilities , including six swimming pools, the Teviotdale and Gytes leisure centres and Tweedbank athletics track.
The Trust’s success in managing sports facilities while pulling in over £1m in new investment and securing several national awards, led to the SBC request to take responsibility for sports development and Active Schools programmes.
Glenn Rodger, SBC Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “In an ideal world we would have transferred all the services at the same time, but the success of BSLT in managing the facilities over the past seven years has created a real confidence that the Trust approach is a positive one and we believe this is the best route to delivering sport and leisure across the Borders now and in the future.
“We are looking forward to working with BSLT and moving forward with the delivery of sport and physical activity into the future. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our staff who will be transferring to BSLT."
SBC will continue to be closely involved with the Trust, with several councillors on the Trust board and executives at board meetings as well as through a monitoring role from within the council. BSLT is also working very closely with SportScotland and various governing bodies in sport to maximise the input nationally to BSLT plans for the future.
Tomorrow, 26 members of sports development and active schools staff will transfer to the Trust and as well as the key services, the transfer will also see the Queens Leisure Centre in Galashiels now incorporated into the portfolio of facilities BSLT currently operate to bring its total to ten across the region.
Tony Taylor, chairman of BSLT, said: “Our staff and SBC staff have put a lot of hard work into this project over the past year to ensure that all three services, Sports Development, Active Schools and BSLT’s current activities, integrate as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
“We are delighted to reach this point and there is a real enthusiasm now on the part of all staff involved to get moving with a fully integrated trust with terrific expertise in sports facilities and service management enhanced by a wealth of skills and experience in the delivery of sports development and school sport.
“These are hugely important areas in the Borders and we believe passionately that the current and future generations of people in the Borders deserve good facilities and services.
“With all these services now working much closely together we are confident that we can start to make a difference and show there is potential for improving sport and leisure across the Borders. But it will also require the help and support of our communities to get the best out of these facilities and services.
“It is not easy in the current economic climate, with significant utility and fuel increases, and it is no surprise to see leisure facilities closing elsewhere in the UK, but with the support of the Borders community we are committed to keeping sport and leisure at the heart of life in the Borders.”
SBC’s decision to transfer these services follows successful models across the UK and comes at a time when local government budgets are under increasing strain. With the Trust model elsewhere showing potential to deliver services more effectively, councillors voted unanimously to the transfer.
Trust Hits Mark with Social and Environmental Aims
Borders Sport and Leisure Trust has recently been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark in recognition of the organisation trading for people and planet.
As an organisation it recognises that as an organisation, we are socially motivated and shows our dedication to facilitating access for all to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
In working with partners such as NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council, we can demonstrate that we are helping to tackle social issues such as obesity while encouraging more Borderers to be more active more often.
Engaging and informing the communities we serve is important to us and having set up focus groups within all our centres, participants are actively helping influence decision-making in relation to the development and operation of the service we provide.
Selkirk Leisure Centre
New for Fridays - Fun time from 3.30pm - 5pm
Every Friday, between 3.30pm & 5pm is fun time at Selkirk Leisure Centre. Replacing Swim Borders lessons, this is the ideal time for adults to join in with the fun and see your child show off their swimming skills in a fun and friendly environment. Open to all the family, these sessions are priced £2 for adults, £1 for children with Swim Borders members free of charge with their membership card.
Personal Training at the Gytes Leisure Centre
Personal Training sessions are now available at the Gytes Leisure Centre with our fully qualifies Level 3 Personal Trainer. For more information, please click here.
Why not become a fan of Borders Sport and Leisure Trust on facebook and keep up to date with all our developments across our organisation. Click on the logo to take you straight there (opens in another webpage).
Ignite Interactive Fitness Experience
Just recently we launched our latest fitness experience at Teviotdale Leisure Centre - Ignite Interactive - featuring an interactive wall, floor and 12 mat dance machine. A dedicated Ignite Zone has been created at Teviotdale Leisure Centre giving everyone the opportunity to have a go in a fun and friendly environment. We can also cater for Birthday Parties at the centre or take our 12 mat dance machine to you.
Have a look at the advert below. For further information contact Teviotdale Leisure Centre on tel: 01450 374 440 or email: teviotdale@bslt.org.uk
Results from Hawick Half Marathon and Fun Run - Sunday 12th Sept 2010
A big well done to everyone who took part in the Hawick Half Marathon and Fun Run on Sunday 12th September. The results can be found by clicking on the links below.
Half Marathon Result
Hawick Fun Run Result
New Gym in Galashiels - Trifitness
We are delighted to announce that we are opening a new gym at the Scottish Borders Campus, Galashiels.
This new facility, in partnership with Heriot-Watt University and Borders College will replace the current provision by the University in the Jackson Building with a brand new purpose built centre.
More information will be available shortly from the following website - www.trifitness.org.uk however to find out more about, please tel: 01896 757 224 or call into the Heriot-Watt University Centre for Sport and Exercise at the Scottish Borders Campus, Netherdale.
There are currently special memberships available now.
Just the tri for new Gym
In a ground breaking partnership and a first for Community Sport in Scotland a unique partnership between Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, Heriot-Watt University and Borders College has been created to deliver a brand new indoor health and fitness centre for the Scottish Borders.
Directors representing the three partners came together at the Scottish Borders Campus this week to sign the agreement which will bring this new facility named ‘Trifitness’ to Galashiels.
Trifitness, a four hundred thousand pound centre will combine a state of the art fitness suite offering a wide range of the latest cardiovascular, resistant and free weight fitness equipment together with a purpose built dance studio complimented with a comprehensive group exercise class programme.
Managed and operated by Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, Trifitness will provide a range of health and fitness services delivered by highly professional, qualified staff.
Borders Sport and Leisure Trust Chairman Tony Taylor said, ‘We are fully committed to the health and well being of everyone in the Borders whether through fun and fitness or professional sporting development and are delighted to be working in partnership with Heriot-Watt University and Borders College on this facility. This unique partnership will use the Trust’s expertise in delivering excellent sport and leisure services to provide a first class health and fitness centre for use by all the community.’
Due to increased demand for health and fitness in the Borders, the new centre will replace the current facility based at the Jackson Building by creating a 760 square metre purpose built centre and will be situated in a building left vacant by a company previously providing kids fitness and entertainment.
Heriot-Watt University Secretary Peter Wilson, said, "These joint proposals represent an exciting development which will provide all users with improved facilities and which, for our students, are closer to the Campus and at a cost comparable to their counterparts at Edinburgh. The arrangement also means that our existing staff, who have both experience and commitment to serving their customers, will be able to continue to do so at the new Centre."
Trifitness will provide sport and exercise facilities for both Borders College and Heriot-Watt University students and staff and will be the home to the College’s Borders Academy of Sporting Excellence (BASE), which offers students the opportunity to combine academic and vocational study with competing at the highest level in their chosen sport.
Pete Smith Director of Finance & Resources at Borders College, said ‘The College is delighted to be involved as a partner in the Trifitness project which will see the establishment of a first-class facility at the Scottish Borders Campus. The new gym will greatly enhance the BASE Sports & Exercise programmes and in particular the strength and conditioning programmes which are key parts of the BASE Rugby, Downhill and the new Football courses.’ 
Pictured at the official launch above are - Tony Taylor, Chairman, Borders Sport and Leisure Trust; Suzanne Dawson, Chair, Borders College; Peter Wilson, Secretary, Heriot-Watt University.
New Retail Stock At Kelso Swimming Pool
Why not pop along to Kelso Swimming Pool and see the new range of retail stock displayed in the centre. There is sure to be everything you need while taking a dip in the pool, whether for fun or for performance.
Special Members offer - Members will receive 10% discount on all resale goods. To be entitled to this discount, please ensure you show your membership card at time of purchase.
New Classes at Teviotdale Leisure Centre
New at Teviotdale this Autumn - two classes specifically for ladies - Active Ladies and Active Times
Active Ladies - an exercise class guaranteed to get your heart going, joints moving and put a big smile on your face, follow this class with an energising swim in the ladies only session and then relax with a refreshing beverage in the cafe afterwards.
The Active Ladies class package runs every Tuesday - Class 09:15 - 10:00am, Swim 10:00 - 11:00
Active Times - an exercise class for the 50's plus age group which is guaranteed to get you moving and smiling, follow this class with an energising swim in the pool and finally relax with a freshing beverage in the cafe afterwards.
The Active Times package runs every Tuesday - Class 13:45 - 14:30, Swim 14:30 - 15:30
Eyemouth Triathlon Results
The results of the Eyemouth Triathlon held on Sunday 20th September 2009 can now be downloaded by clicking here.
Hawick Half Marathon Results
The results of the Hawick Half Marathon held at Teviotdale Leisure Centre on Sunday 13th September can be viewed by clicking here
New Classes at Galashiels Swimming Pool
3 Steps to Fitness
Join in on this 12 week total fitness package and achieve the health and body shape you want. THis programme utilises a three tiered approach to training: metabolic, aerobic and nutrition and three different types of activity: gym training, swim fitness and group fitness.
For more information on this 12 week programme contact David Scullion at Galashiels Swimming Pool; tel: 01896 752 154 or email: galashiels.bslt@bslt.org.uk
Early Morning Adult Boot Camp Classes
Why not start your day with an energetic boot camp class. Using traditional boot camp exercises and techniques get fighting fit.
Classes held Mon, Wed & Fri from 7.00am - 8.00am
To view both information leaflets please click here
Wakey Wakey! Early Birds Swimming
Join the team at Galashiels Swimming Pool every weekday morning (Mon - Fri) from 07:15 - 09:00am. The perfect start to any day!
To view the information leaflet please click here
Starting Soon - New Classes at Teviotdale Leisure Centre
Ballet for Children - for further information please contact Niki Forbes tel: 07772 504 958
Pilates - for further information please contact The Practice (Sue Gould-Wright) tel: 07968 515 925
Ante & Post Natal Classes at Teviotdale
Classes start on 10th September 2008. Please click here for further information.
New Underwater Sea Scooters at Kelso & Eyemouth Leisure Centre
Borders Sport & Leisure Trust are fully committed in helping get more borderers more active more often. As such we are introducing some new equipment at both Selkirk & Eyemouth Leisure Centre to encourage greater participation in sport & active leisure activities.
In the swimming pool, we are proud to introduce you to our new underwater Sea Scooters. The underwater Sea Scooters are being introduced to provide children and adults with exciting new equipment so swimming can continue to be enjoyed by all the family.
The Scooters will have dedicated timetabled sessions and swimmers will work towards four skill levels in order to provide a safe and fun environment. These levels are – 1. Introductory: 2. Snorkels and Fins: 3. Slalom/Obstacle course: 4. freestyle tricks.
To view the Sea Scooter timetable at Selkirk Leisure Centre please click here
For details of Sea Scooter sessions at Eyemouth Leisure Centre please contact the centre directly: Tel: 01890 750 557 E: eyemouth@bslt.org.uk
New Squash League Gets Underway at Teviotdale
A new squash league has started at the Teviotdale Leisure Centre for anybody who plays the sport competitively or those who are complete beginners and looking to try another form of exercise.
Squash is a great game to help you improve muscle strength and tone giving you that all body workout.
So whether you are looking to play competitively, get fit or meet new friends, click here for more details or contact the Teviotdale Leisure Centre - Tel: 01450 374 440; Email: teviotdale@bslt.org.uk
|
