GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT - MAY 2010

This report focuses upon certain staffing and operational issues that have occurred during the past twelve months.

Staff

Now that the Club has achieved stability in its senior management structure, I am extremely happy to report that this has enabled Club Head of Department's to fully assume specific responsibility and commitment for the following areas of operation; Grounds and Premises, Office and Accounts, Gym and Exercise Classes, Reception, Events and Function Hire and Bar and Catering outlets. This stability has manifested itself in a much improved, focused level of service and the provision of quality facilities for both our members and guests to enjoy. It is the intention of all Club staff to continue this level of commitment into the future.

The Club Plus Gym increased its number of contracted members of staff from four to five, in order to provide enhanced operational cover. Unfortunately, one of those contracted members of staff has recently left and the Club is now in the process of recruiting an additional member of staff to fill the ‘void'. In the meantime casual gym staff will be utilised to provide this cover.

A number of Club reception staff left the Club during the last year. However, they have been replaced by new members of staff. The Club decided to recruit two additional contracted ‘Cooks' to enhance the service provided to members. A number of new casual members of bar and kitchen staff have been recruited during the past year.

In addition to the Chair and Executive Committee, I would also like to thank and congratulate all Club staff, both contracted and non-contracted, for their considerable hard work and commitment over the last year. Often staff work ‘unsocial' hours including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays and this commitment is both acknowledged and appreciated. Of paramount importance for all staff is the provision of an excellent and responsive service to all our valued members and guests.

Membership

Currently, total Club membership stands at 2,598 which is a decrease of 54 from this time last year. Of the total membership base there are currently 795 members of the Club Plus Gym.

Club Marketing Initiatives

The Club continues to promote itself both internally and externally in order to attract new members and to generally raise the profile and awareness of the Club amongst the local and regional community. Initiatives include the following;

  • Attendance at ‘The Horsham Festival' in July 2009 â€" plus planned attendance in 2010.
  • Easter Fun Day advertisements in ‘The Resident' and ‘West Sussex County Times'.
  • Dedicated contact and correspondence with the local and regional business community regarding utilisation of Club facilities.
  • Yellow Pages and Yell.com advertisements.
  • ‘The Resident' and ‘West Sussex County Times' editorial features regarding the re-surfacing of the tennis courts â€" October 2009.
  • Further editorial features upon completion of the ‘colour coating' of the tennis courts and the new children's play area and equipment â€" May 2010.
  • Regular leaflet drops/contact with local educational establishments.
  • Promotion of Club Plus Gym in local media and leaflet drops.
  • Brand new membership pack covers.
  • Brand new promotional Club leaflets.
  • Regular features in ‘Holbrook Home Pages'.

 

Club Plus Gym

The Club has entered into its second year of a three year agreement of leasing the ‘Cybex' cardio vascular equipment. The additional provision of a Cross Trainer and Recumbent exercise bike has assisted demand for these particular pieces of equipment.

The optional ‘Personal Training' service continues to be popular, with members benefiting from 1-1 sessions with the Club's fully trained and qualified gym instructors. The recent ‘Gym Challenge' was well received by members and further challenges are planned for the future.

The Club added a ‘Cable Column' exercise machine which has proved to be very popular, as the machine is extremely versatile and offers a number of different exercises in the one machine.

Activities/Classes

The Club's regular weekly class schedule of Pilates, Yoga, Aerobic Body Combo, Boxercise and Legs, Bums and Tums continue to be extremely popular and are well attended.

Unfortunately, due to poor attendance it was decided to discontinue the Thursday evening Body Conditioning class. However, the Club has recently introduced ‘Zumba' sessions on a Tuesday evening and Saturday morning. They are also proving to be very popular and well attended. Additionally, the Club has introduced a ‘Mother and Toddler/Baby' Pilates session on a Tuesday lunchtime.

Both junior and adult tennis coaching sessions continue to be successful and well attended. A Monday afternoon junior tennis session has recently been introduced. The ‘Coerver Coaching' junior football sessions also are popular. The Club's ‘Forever Young' Wednesday morning sessions regularly attract 20+ participants. Finally, the ‘Mother and Toddler' Thursday sessions continue to be successful.

Club Refurbishment Programme

Since 2009's AGM the following capital spend projects have been, or will be, undertaken;

  • Re-surfacing of five tennis courts, together with the provision of a brand new surround fence and ‘ducting' for potential floodlighting. Additionally, the courts are due to be ‘colour coated' in May 2010.
  • Complete renewal and refurbishment of the children's play area and equipment, including brand new surround fence. This project was due to be completed by April 2010, however supplier problems with the rubber safety matting has delayed final completion until May 2010.
  • Re-sanding and sealing of the Club Plus Studio wooden floor.
  • Re-sanding and sealing of the two squash courts.
  • External re-decoration of the sports hall.
  • Provision of a ‘Sky' Higher Definition (HD) box and HD Projector(s).

 

The above projects demonstrate the Club's commitment to its policy to upgrade, improve and reinvest in Club facilities wherever possible, together to provide tangible evidence of this commitment to members and guests.

2009/10 Social Calendar

The Club continues to provide its members and guests a varied and diverse social calendar of events and activities, which are specifically designed to appeal to a wide a cross section of the membership base as possible.

The 2009/10 social calendar includes the following;

  • May Day Fun Day
  • Easter Fun Day
  • Fireworks Night
  • New Years Eve Night
  • St Patrick's Night
  • X 2 Comedy Nights
  • Real Ale Festival
  • Big Screen Live sports events â€" including the 2010 World Cup
  • Monthly Band Nights
  • Monthly Bingo Nights
  • Monthly Family Disco Nights
  • Sportsman Dinners
  • Boxing Night â€" in conjunction with Horsham Boxing Club

It is the intention that this full and varied programme is continued into 2011 and beyond.

Sports Sections/Membership

On behalf of the Executive Committee and all Club staff I would like to take this opportunity to thank all sports section representatives, both organisers and participants, for your involvement with your specific section and congratulations to all those sections who achieved sporting success in 2009/10.

Finally, on behalf of the Club I would genuinely like to thank all members and guests for your valued support throughout the past year and trust that this will continue in the future.

Clive Hartley, General Manager
6th May 2010