Charities and social enterprises delivering public leisure and culture walked away with a clutch of trophies at this year’s ukactive Awards.
Tees Active triumphed over major multimillion-pound leisure developments from across the UK with Billingham Forum gym winning the Design, Build and Refurbishment category.
GLL’s Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading was awarded UK Active’s Regional Public Centre of the Year South of England award.
And Oliver Deen, Operations Director at Jubilee Hall Trust, took home the Outstanding Individual Leadership in recognition of the steady, visible leadership he has given the London charity through some of the most difficult years in its history.
The ukactive Awards are one of the UK’s largest annual award ceremonies for the physical activity, health, and fitness sector. Hosted by the industry body ukactive, the black-tie event celebrates leading private, public, and independent gyms, leisure centres, suppliers, and individual change-makers who help get the nation more active.
Leon Jones, Managing Director of Tees Active, said:
“This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Tees Active. We didn’t just want to build a bigger gym – we wanted to challenge expectations of what public leisure could be and prove that exceptional quality doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.
“To see that ambition recognised nationally, alongside some incredible multimillion-pound developments, is an enormous achievement. It’s a fantastic opportunity to put the Tees Valley firmly on the map for excellence in public leisure.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, but equally proud of our team. Their dedication and genuine care for our members is what turns a fantastic facility into an outstanding experience.”
Craig Woodward, GLL Partnership Manager said: “This win is a huge endorsement of the great partnership we enjoy with Reading Borough Council.
“We are delighted with this award and could not be prouder of the impact our programmes and team are having in tackling local health inequalities and getting more people more active more often.”
Jon Giles, Chief Executive of Jubilee Hall Trust, said:
“I am honoured to have nominated Oliver and very proud that his efforts have been recognised at a national level. The last few years have asked a great deal of everyone at Jubilee Hall Trust, and Oliver has been steady, loyal and visible throughout. Our charity has remained viable because of people like him.
“It is critical that leaders recognise the hard work their people commit. We like to think we recognise hard work through pay and benefits, but this kind of recognition is different – it will stay with him for life.”
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