A review of Beau Sejour has suggested that the sports hall, squash and netball courts could be reconfigured or repurposed while the leisure centre’s staffing costs need to be “monitored and reviewed”.
The review of Guernsey’s only publicly owned leisure centre was commissioned by Education, Sport, and Culture to highlight its value to users and taxpayers, and to help establish a plan for its future.
Many of the review’s findings were positive, with Beau Sejour said to generate £1.39million per year “in social value for the island”.
This compares with a budget of around £1m from the States which is topped up by lottery profits.
The leisure centre – which opened in 1976 – was described as providing “significant public health benefits”, playing a strong role in rehabilitation and preventative health, with “a high utilisation of the fitness and swimming facilities”.
The review also found that Beau Sejour’s operating costs are “generally well-controlled” with “above average” income from secondary sources.
“The facility is in good visual condition, aided by satisfactory maintenance investment,” found the review.
However, it also suggested a number of recommendations for the future.
If progressed, this could mean changes to the sports hall, squash and outdoor tennis courts and David Ferguson Hall.
Other States services and third sector services could be offered a chance to re-locate to Beau Sejour to make use of any currently under utilised space. This could mean the leisure centre becomes more of a “holistic community service hub”.
While staff are praised for their hard work, the review found that “the Centre operates at a financial loss, with staffing costs exceeding industry norms”.
ESC has been advised to “review the management and staffing model to align costs with industry benchmarks where viable, while maintaining service quality, and deliver a redeveloped service into the future”.
The review has made a number of recommendations, and in conclusion it said that “Beau Sejour remains a cornerstone of community life in Guernsey, providing essential leisure, cultural, and social services”.
“However, its long-term sustainability depends on a proactive approach to financial stability, operational efficiency, strategic alignment and investment,” the review warned.
Within the review is “a roadmap for Beau Sejour’s future”.
The next stages of the review will look at how Beau Sejour’s managers can balance “economic viability with community benefit”.
“With the right interventions, the Centre can continue to play a transformative role in public health, social inclusion, and civic engagement for years to come,” believes those who reviewed it.